Pakistan court issues arrest warrant against former PM Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers case

Mangalore Today News Network

Pakistan , Oct 26, 2017 : A Pakistan court hearing the Panama Papers case on Thursday issued two bailable arrest warrants against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The next date for the hearing is scheduled on November 3.

 

Last week, the same court indicted Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law  Muhammad Safda in connection with the case. It noted that the defendants were unsuccessful in declaring the source of income used to purchase two flats in London. Nawaz Sharif and his daughter pleaded not guilty.

The case pertains to an investigation into the offshore accounts and assets held by Nawaz Sharif’s children.

Nawaz Sharif skipped the hearing as he is in Saudi Arabia with his mother to perform Umra, a Hajj ritual.

Dawn reported that Nawaz Sharif met members of the Saudi royal family on Wednesday.

On September 8, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)  registered three cases against Sharif, his children and son-in-law in the Accountability Court here following a verdict by the Supreme Court, which disqualified him after an investigation into corruption allegations against his family.
Sharif’s daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar appeared in the court but Sharif was absent and his lawyer Khawaja Haris asked the court to exempt him from appearance, according to a court official.

NAB deputy prosecutor general Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi opposed the application and said that already the court granted Sharif 15-day exemption that expired on October 24. He accused Sharif of delaying tactics.

The court after hearing arguments rejected the plea and issued bailable arrest against him in Al-Azizi Steel and Flagship Investment corruption cases and issued notices to Sharif’s guarantor in Avenfield reference case as he was already given bail in the case.

The court during the hearing on October 9 decided to separate the trial of his two sons — Husain and Hasan — from Sharif and his daughter and son-in-law.

It also had ordered to start the process of declaring proclaimed offender to Husain and Hasan for failing to appear before the court.

Heavy security arrangements were made and more than 400 security personnel deployed to deal with any untoward situation.

The cases are based on July 28 verdict by the Supreme Court which disqualified Sharif and ordered to launch three corruption cases against him and his family, and one case against finance minister Ishaq Dar. Dar has already been indicted and his trial has been going on.



courtesy:Indian Express