Sharif family had cited the illness of Kulsoom Nawaz as reason for wanting to miss the hearing.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and Capt (retd) Safdar Hussain had been summoned by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for a hearing on February 22.
However, the family cited illness of Kulsoom Nawaz, the ousted premier's wife, and requested to exempt them from appearing before from the court.
However, as per the NAB court's order, illness of one's wife is not reason enough to skip a hearing.
Accountability court summons head of Panamagate JIT with original records
The court order further termed it unacceptable to appoint an attorney via a video link in London.
The notice also added that according to her medical report, Kulsoom Nawaz had to go through six chemotherapy sessions, which have reached completion. It states that cancer has been brought considerably under control, and for future treatment, Kulsoom should seek radiotherapy.
Earlier on February 15, Justice Bashir had issued an order directing the head of the Panamagate joint investigation team (JIT) to present the original record of the JIT report on February 22. The record would be needed to record statements of two foreign witnesses in the Avenfield Apartments’ supplementary reference against the Sharif family.
The JIT was headed by Wajid Zia, the Federal Investigation Agency’s Additional Director General.
The order issued on February 15 by Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir said: “Original record may be requisitioned through witness namely Wajid Zia from Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan for 22.02.2018, as it would be required during statements of Mr Robert W Radley and Raja Akhtar.”
“Notice in this regard be issued to the concerned head of the JIT to bring the record for the said purpose,” it added.
Investigation in Avenfield apartments case still underway
The Sharif family is under investigation over three references filed in the Flagship Investments, and Al Azizia and Hill Metal Establishment cases.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ