RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Capt Safdar (retd) appeared first time together in accountability court on Friday.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with Maryam Nawaz arrived at accountability court from Punjab House in VVIP protocol. He was escorted by at least 26 vehicles including escort vehicle armed with jammer.

A number of political workers of Pakistan Muslim League-N were present outside the premises of accountability court to welcome the party leaders. Banners in support of Sharif were also displayed on the trees along the road in front of the accountability court.

Federal Minister for Railways, Saad Rafique said on Friday that Nawaz Sharif and his family are not trying to avoid the courts as they always respected the institutions of the country.

Talking to the media outside the accountability court, the minister said that Nawaz Sharif and his family are appearing in courts despite illness of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and facing false allegations leveled against them. He said that the former prime minister just talks about a fair trial which does not mean that he is running away from the accountability process.

Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Tariq Fazal Chaudhry argued that the conspirators against democracy and the government would not succeed.

The Sharif family is facing trial in connection with NAB references pertaining to the Avenfield flats, the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment.

On Thursday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman criticised the government for according ‘public-money’ protocol to ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on his return to Pakistan from London.