SC directs AC to announce verdict in a month

M RAFIQUE GORAYA

LAHORE: The Supreme Court has directed the accountability court to announce decision on all three corruption references against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family within a month as the accused and people are in immense tension.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar heard accountability courts application here on Sunday seeking further extension for a month for the conclusion of trials against Nawaz and his family with regard to corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after apex court’s verdict in Panama Papers case.

During the proceeding, the petitioner submitted that concluding remarks are underway in Avenfield reference, Wajid Zia is being examined in Al Azizia reference while statement of investigation officer is yet to be recorded, therefore the hearing may be extended for a month. The court rejected petition of Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris for completing the trial in six weeks. The apex court granted another one-month extension for the hearing of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references against Sharif family and directed NAB court judge Mohammad Bashir to hold hearing on Saturdays.

The court observed that Nawaz Sharif and his daughter could go to see his ailing wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, under going treatment for throat cancer in London. However he should inform the court how long he would stay in London.