ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar are all set to be indicted today in an accountability court in regards to the NAB corruption references that were filed against them in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict on July 28 in the Panama Papers case.
While Maryam and Safdar are present in the country, the former premier is in London with his sons – who are accused as well. Nawaz, however, is still likely to be indicted today with a representative on his behalf pleading the charges against him.
Zafir Khan, who was nominated by the former premier’s legal team as the “pleader” and the person to represent Nawaz in court during his indictment, has reached the court.
However, Nawaz’s lead counsel, Khawaja Harris, has yet not arrived.
In conversation with the media while entering the court complex, Safdar said that Nawaz will appear before the time when the right time comes.
The court premises is secured with proper arrangements to avoid any unexpected incident from occurring. Senior government officials, including ministers are attending the court hearing too.
The proceedings were halted for 15 minutes as the hearing went under way. Amjad Pervez, who represents the Sharif family, called the court hearing to a stop, pleading that his clients not be indicted until they are provided complete documents of the case.
Pervez added to the argument saying that his clients have also not been provided Volume X of the Panama case JIT report.
However, the plea was opposed by NAB prosecutor.
The judge is expected to give his decision on the plea after the hearing resumes shortly.
Furthermore, the Sharif family’s counsel also pleaded that until the Supreme Court decides on Nawaz’s plea for NAB to re-file a single corruption reference in place of three separate ones, the proceedings be suspended.