-Maryam meets Shehbaz, Hamza during hearing in bid to depict unity
-NAB shows ‘no objection’ to Shehbaz’s jail trial
-Nusrat Shehbaz’s plea rejected, being declared pro-claimed offender
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: A Lahore accountability court on Monday set November 11 for indictment of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, his son Hamza Shehbaz and other members of his family in a money laundering and assets beyond means case. Shehbaz Sharif and his son were brought to the court in an armoured personnel carrier (APC) as it resumed hearing.
At the start of the hearing, the accountability judge expressed displeasure over people crowding the courtroom and observed that he had called for people to be allowed inside the court to a certain limit. He called a short recess. Resuming the hearing later, the court provided copies of approvers’ statements to Shehbaz, Hamza and other accused.
Over the course of the hearing, Shehbaz, who is also Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, sought permission from the court to say something. However, the judge asked him to first receive important documents he is being provided after which the court will listen to what he has to say.
The court adjourned the case until November 11 when, the judge ruled, the court will frame charges against all accused.
Meanwhile, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz reached the court to meet her uncle and cousin. Interacting with journalists, Shehbaz Sharif lamented that he and his son were brought to the court in an APC. “This is the height of oppression but we will endure,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz reached an accountability court to meet her uncle Shehbaz Sharif and cousin Hamza Shehbaz Sharif.
During the meeting country’s political situation came under discussion. Maryam also inquired about the health of Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza. Informally talking to media outside the accountability court in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz said that Pakistan Muslim Leauge-Nawaz (PML-N) will win elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Refuting differences between the family, Maryam said that the Sharif family is united and will remain. People have been talking about differences in the family for the last 30 years, but the family stands firmly united, she added. Upon the arrival of Maryam at the accountability court Lahore, police and the party workers exchanged words when the PML-N workers were barred from entering the court along with Maryam.
Informing an accountability court on Monday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said it has no objection to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif’s jail trial. Submitting a report in response to the court’s directives, the corruption watchdog said it has no objection if the court wants to conduct the trial of the PML-N leader inside jail in the money laundering reference. “Holding jail trial is a discretionary power of court,” the NAB said.
The bureau said it will implement whatever judgement this court passes in this regard.
Accountability Court Administrative Judge Jawad al Hassan had last week issued a four-page written order stating that the best solution to complete trial swiftly is a jail trial. It said the people faced difficulties in the courtroom when Shehbaz and Hamza appear.
An accountability court also rejected the plea of Nusrat Shehbaz, wife of Shehbaz Sharif seeking permanent exemption from the court appearance in the money laundering case.
The court while rejecting Nusrat’s plea ordered the concerned authorities to produce her before the court on the next hearing. The court also directed to initiate the process of declaring Nusrat as a proclaimed offender. The judgment was reserved by the court after hearing arguments from both sides.
Last month, the NAB court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Nusrat Shehbaz and Rabia Imran in the money laundering case.
Accountability Court Judge Syed Jawadul Hassan had conducted the case proceedings, in which Hamza Shehbaz was not produced due to suffering from coronavirus, while another co-accused in the reference, Javeria was allowed to leave the court after marking her attendance.
