Nawaz never owned London flats, Nelson and Nescol: Khawaja Haris

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's legal counsel Khawaja Haris asserted on Wednesday that Nawaz Sharif never owned the London flats, Nelson and Nescol comapnies. Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the Avenfield reference against Sharif family. Khawaja Haris submitted his concluding arguments in the Avenfield reference. While Nawaz's son-in-law Capt (r) Safdar appeared before the court, Nawaz and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were given a four-day exemption from appearance on Tuesday. Khawaja Haris remarked that Nawaz hasn't accepted ownership of anything. He said that London flats, Nelson and Nescol companies are not in the name of Nawaz Sharif. He also said that Nawaz's ownership was never proven, If the ownership had been proven only then we could have discussed the supposed difference between income and assets. The lawyer further said that the burden of proof lies on the prosecution, however, here the prosecution has put the burden of the proof on the defence. Giving further arguments, Haris stated that the statements, which was given to the JIT, could not be used as proofs. Panama JIT head and prosecution witness Wajid Zia said that Nawaz Sharif is owner of London flats because he lived there. He said that if Nawaz took a tea in flat then he will become the owner of flats. Khawaja Haris stated that Capital FZE has no link with the Avenfield reference, saying that Wajid Zia misinformed about London flats. He claimed that Wajid has no witness to prove Nawaz Sharif's real or beneficiary ownership of Nelson and Nescol companies. "Panama JIT head never stated that Nawaz was involved in the running of the Gulf Steel Mills. None of the prosecution witnesses stated that Nawaz's son Hasan was a dependent of his father," he argued. Haris claimed further that Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan official Sidra Mansoor could not even verify the documents she presented in court.  Haris stated that the investigation officer of the case also did not bring any witness on record who established Nawaz as the owner of the London properties. The hearing was then adjourned till June 21. The concluding arguments of Khawaja Haris will be continued tomorrow.