Sharif, family appear at NAB hearing

Two prosecution witnesses record statements

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar Hussain appeared before an accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Judge Muhammad Bashir conducted the hearing as the court recorded statements of two prosecution witnesses in the three references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Nawaz and his family, including the Flagship Investment and Avenfield Properties cases.

Khwaja Harris, the Sharif family’s lawyer, cross-examined the two witnesses, Zawar Khan and Tasleem Khan.

A large number of leaders from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) accompanied the Sharif family to the judicial complex, while party supporters were asked to stay away.

Sharif has appeared before the accountability court 10 times, Maryam Nawaz 12 times, and Captain (retd) Safdar 14 times.

Strong security arrangements were put in place at the judicial complex during proceedings.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Nawaz said, "Imran Khan accepted that he committed the crime but he was still declared 'Sadiq' and 'Ameen', while no evidence has been found against me, I was disqualified only on the basis of the Iqama ".

Regarding criticism against his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, he said "Saudi Arabia is our friend, my visit there was not exclusive."

According to prosecutor's witness, Tasleem Khan, he appeared before NAB Rawalpindi on the orders of Commissioner Land Revenue Fiza Batool, Jahangir Ahmed was also present in the court on August 21 and he provided income tax records to Investigation Officer Kamran Mehboob. "I submitted the verified wealth tax record of Nawaz Sharif, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz."

Another witness, Zawar Khan, while recording his statement said that Sidra Mansoor’s statement was recorded in my presence, she provided an audit report of Hudaibiya Papers Mills.

In addition, Clerk Muhammad Rashid submitted 11-paged documents and a four-paged London Queen bench order.