An accountability court hearing corruption references against the Sharif family has sought more time to conclude the trial. Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik has reportedly written a letter to the top court requesting another extension in the trial of former premier Nawaz Sharif and his two sons.
The deadline for the conclusion of proceedings in the graft references against Sharif family lapsed on Saturday without a fresh extension from the Supreme Court.
On a previous hearing, Judge Malik had expressed that he would send the letter seeking more time to conclude references.
The NAB had filed three references against the Sharif family in the light of Supreme Court’s verdict in the high-profile Panama Papers case.
On July 6, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir, who was earlier hearing the references, concluded the Avenfield Apartments reference and awarded ex-PM 10 years’ imprisonment, seven years to his daughter Maryam Nawaz and two years to his son in-law Captain (r) Safdar.
Following the sentence, Nawaz requested the Islamabad High Court to transfer the pending references to any other court. The request was allowed and references – Al-Aziziz and Hill Metal Establishment and Flagship and other companies – were transferred to another court.
Meanwhile, the court has summoned head of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) Wajid Zia for cross examination in the remaining two references on Monday.
Published in Daily Times, August 26th 2018.
