Wajid Zia grilled by defence during accountability hearing

Accountability court adjourns hearing till Monday, Nawaz exempted from appearance

The accountability court hearing the Al-Azizia reference against former premier Nawaz Sharif was informed by JIT head Wajid Zia that the investigation team did not keep a copy of Volume 10.

During the hearing, Nawaz's counsel Khawaja Haris questioned the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) witness Zia on whether the apex court had instructed the JIT to implement Volume 10 of its report. Zia replied that the top court had issued an order verbally, however, no detailed instruction was handed out to the JIT in this regard.

 

 



"Volume 10 was sealed on a verbal order and five copies were submitted to the top court," Zia added. He also clarified that the investigation team did not keep a copy of the sealed volume when questioned by Haris.

The defence counsel refuted Zia's statement and said that "during the Avenfield reference hearing, you said that the JIT did keep a copy with itself". The defence also recorded Zia's conflicting statement as part of case record.

 

 



Prosecutor NAB countered that a witness testimony from a different reference cannot be entered into this reference's hearing.

Nawaz's lawyer also entered a plea of exemption, excusing the former premier from attending Thursday's hearing. The plea was accepted by the accountability court and the court adjourned hearing till Monday.