Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS
Former premier Nawaz Sharif is clinging on to the no-defence policy in corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau in light of Supreme Court’s Panamagate verdict, Express News reported.
As accountability court Judge Arshad Malik resumed hearing on Thursday in the Flagship reference, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo refused to present defence – he had adopted the same stance in the Avenfield and Al Azizia cases.
In his verbal statement, Nawaz asserted that anti-graft watchdog had failed to present concrete evidence linking him to corruption hence he did not need to present a defence.
No defence needed in graft case, Sharif tells court
“The allegations against me are baseless. The cases are founded on assumptions,” he said. The three-time deposed prime minister added that “even assets beyond income claim could not be proved.”
Nawaz claimed to have documents from 1937 to 1973 detailing businesses owned by the family. “We had over a thousand workers employed by Ittefaq Foundry. We had a mill in Dhaka as well.”
He blamed former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for confiscating the records.
He reflected on his tenures as prime minister and thanked the masses for entrusting him with the mandate. “I am a son of the soil. I love this country and am proud to have served as premier thrice.”
Nawaz uncertain whether to present defence in Al-Azizia, Flagship references
Nawaz asked NAB prosecution to prove that he gave money for the purchase of assets. “Over 8 million Pakistanis have businesses abroad. Will the prosecution initiate cases against all of them? If not, then why only me?”
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