Sharif’s sons declared proclaimed offenders

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The accountability court (AC) has on Monday declared Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif proclaimed offenders (PO). The accountability court (AC) judge Muhammad Bashir resumed hearing of the references against former Prime Minister Nawaz and his family members. During the proceedings, the court expressed anger as Nawaz Sharif’s sons again failed to appear before the court. The court has also separated the case in three references against Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz. The court approved an application submitted by the counsel of the ex-PM seeking Nawaz Sharif’s exemption from personal appearance for his client. The court has also summoned former PM, his daughter Maryam Nawaz, son-in-law Captain (r) Safdar for indictment. On October 2, the accountability court issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of the ex-premier’s sons Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r) Safdar. The court issued bailable warrants for Maryam Nawaz. Judge Muhammad Bashir issued directives to arrest and present Hassan, Hussain and Safdar before the court on the next date of hearing. The former premier appeared before the court on October 2 but could not be indicted due to the absence of his family’s members facing the trial along with him. The Sharifs have denied any wrongdoing and have labelled the corruption proceedings against them as politically motivated. Two of Nawaz’s sons are also due to appear before the NAB court, along with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Nawaz was disqualified by the Supreme Court in July for not declaring a source of income that he disputes receiving. Pakistan’s top court also ordered a wide-ranging NAB investigation and trial into Sharif family members. The Supreme Court specified that the trial be concluded within six months by NAB, which has in the past been derided as toothless because rich and powerful politicians were seldom convicted.