SC grants final extension to complete references against Sharif family

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court on Friday granted the final extension to the accountability court to complete the Al-Azizia and Flagship references against the Sharif family until November 17. The court has extended the five-week deadline for sixth time to conclude the trial. The last deadline expired on October 7 after which an extension plea was submitted to the SC. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing the petition. As the hearing went underway, Nawaz Sharif's legal counsel Khawaja Haris appeared requested an eight-week extension to conclude the Al-Azizia corruption and Flagship references. The court, however, rejected the plea, stating that it could not grant more than four weeks to conclude the cases. CJP Saqib Nisar asked Khawaja Haris to conclude the trial early and reduce his tension. He remarked that the accountability court judge will be questioned if the trial is not wrapped up during the given time. Accountability Court II Judge Arshad Malik had written a letter to the SC to request an extension in the deadline. He had apprised the court of the progress in the Al-Azizia and Flagship corruption references against the Sharif family. On August 27, the Supreme Court had directed the accountability court to decide the Al Azizia and Flagship corruption references within six weeks. Nawaz and his sons, Hussain and Hasan, are accused in all three references whereas Maryam and Safdar were accused in the Avenfield reference only.