Khawaja Asif remanded into NAB custody for two weeks

Court orders to produce the PML-N senior leader before the court on January 13

LAHORE:

An accountability court (AC) in Lahore remanded Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Khawaja Asif for 13 days in the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) custody on Thursday in the assets beyond means case.

The anti-graft body had arrested the former foreign minister and the acting leader of the opposition in the National Assembly from the federal capital on December 29.

A day earlier, on December 30, an AC in Islamabad had granted a day's transit remand of the PML-N leader for him to be produced before an accountability court in Lahore.

Accountability court judge Jawad-ul-Hassan presided over the hearing. NAB prosecutors requested the court to grant a 14-day physical remand of the PML-N leader arguing that the former defence minister could not satisfy NAB regarding the increase in his assets and that required a more thorough probe.

“First they investigated me in Rawalpindi, when they couldn't find anything... they have now brought me to Lahore,” Asif told the court.

The PML-N leader’s counsel also told the court that his client had provided all the documents regarding his assets.

To this, the investigating officer replied that the documents did not confirm how the assets in question were created.

“This is the first remand so the court accepts NAB’s request,” the AC judge said. “The case is of acquisition and disposal. You should get all the addition and subtraction done in front of yourself,” the judge said to the PML-N leader.

Former foreign minister's counsel told the court that his client was called to court 36 times in Rawalpindi and five times in Lahore; all the required record had been provided.

“The record that is in front of you was also provided by me,” the lawyer stated.

The AC judge said that it was a matter of routine. "What's the surprise in it?" he asked.

“Let the investigation take place since you have been arrested,” the court said while addressing Asif. “You have to endure this. I have seen Shehbaz Sharif's case, so don't explain me anything. I want to protect his and your rights,” judge Jawad-ul-Hasan observed.

The court allowed Asif to meet his family and lawyers, and also granted the request for the PML-N leader to be provided home-cooked meals.

It ordered the authorities to produce the PML-N leader again before the court on January 14, 2021. However, was then asked to be presented on January 13 after his counsel told the court that he will have to be in Gujranwala on the day for another case.