No document names Nawaz as Avenfield flats' owner: Wajid Zia

During cross-examination, Zia said JIT never directly corresponded with Mossack Fonseca

ISLAMABAD: Joint Investigation Team (JIT) Head Wajid Zia said on Wednesday that not a single document named former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the owner of Avenfield flats at any given time.

Zia made the statement as counsel for Nawaz Khawaja Haris commenced cross-examining the star witness in the Avenfield reference against the Sharifs.  Over proceedings, Haris asked Zia if there was any document proving that properties belonged to Nawaz. To this, Zia replied in the negative.

When the defence counsel inquired if law firm Mossack Fonseca had written to the JIT on beneficial ownership of the flats, Zia said the team had not directly communicated with the law firm.



Nawaz’s counsel then grilled Zia on any document showing a Pakistani institution approaching British Virgin Islands Financial Investigation Agency (BVI FIA) regarding this matter. “No, there is no document showing that any institution writing to the BVI FIA,” Zia replied.  He added that the JIT had sent a letter to the BVI FIA seeking certification of correspondence between the agency and Mossack Fonseca in June 2012.

When Haris inquired whether BVI FIA had responded, Zia said he failed to 'recollect'. Probing further, the defense counsel inquired if Zia knew who directed the 2012 correspondence between BVI FIA and Mossack Fonseca. “We are not privy to this information,” replied Zia.

Responding to Haris’ question on the JIT identifying the beneficiary owner of the apartments through letters provided by the law firm, Zia said it was partly correct. He went on to add that the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations 2008 and Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Code of Practice 2008 were also two legal instruments used by the JIT for this purpose.



Over proceedings, Zia also admitted that he had not come across any document naming Nawaz as a registered director, nominee director or shareholder of Nelson and Nescol companies. Upon Haris' inquiry on any witness claiming Nawaz as a shareholder, Zia replied with a swift no.

Zia answered with a no again when questioned whether any document outlined correspondence between his client and a government or private institution, bank or land registry in the United Kingdom or any other country. “Any document showing Nawaz  paying rent on Avenfield properties?” asked Haris. No, I did not come across any such documents, Zia said. The JIT head also said he did not come across any documents proving Nawaz had purchased the flats.

Haris then said he would further cross-examine the star witness after perusing his statement. The court then adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (Thursday).