ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s legal counsel Khawaja Haris on Wednesday started presdenting his final arguments in Avenfield reference case.
Accountability court resumed hearing of the reference cases against the Sharifs in the presence of Captain (r) Safdar, while Nawaz along with Maryam have been granted exemption from court appearances owing to Kulsoom Nawaz’s unstable condition in London’s hospital.
During the hearing, Haris stated that as off today, Nawaz has not accepted ownership of anything and the London flats are not named after Nawaz.
Defense counsel added that the burden of proof lies upon the prosecution, however in the reference cases it has been opposite as the prosecution placed this burden on the defense.
Haris asserted that not once did any evidence prove Nawaz’s ownership of the London properties, due to which the difference between assets and income cannot be discussed.
Earlier on Tuesday, Haris had filed an exemption petition from Nawaz, as he resides in London with his wife on life support. The court had granted a 4 day exemption from court appearances.
Earlier Haris had recused himself as Nawaz’s counsel over being dictated by the Supreme Court to end the cases within 30 days, however on Tuesday he withdrew his recusal and returned as the former premier’s lead counsel.
Sharifs are accused of ownership of Avenfield properties through money laundering and corruption. The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) reference case was filed after the Panamagate case.