NAB granted 6 weeks to conclude
TERENCE J SIGAMONY
ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was granted on Tuesday another six weeks to conclude corruption references against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
Still two references – Flagship Investments and Al-Azizia Steel Mills – are pending against Nawaz Sharif and one reference is pending against Dar. These references were filed by the NAB in accordance with the apex court’s order in the Panama Papers judgment announced last year.
During the proceedings, Special Prosecutor NAB General Akbar Tarar informed the court that in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference, out of 26 witnesses, 20 have recorded their statements, while in Flagship investment reference, out of 18 witnesses, 14 have recorded their statements. The fourth reference is against Dar, he added.
The Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar questioned whether Dar, who has been declared a proclaimed offender, would be sentenced in absentia. The prosecutor replied that in absentia the merit of case is not examined but the PO can be sentenced under Section 32 of NAO, 1999.
The Chief Justice heading a two-member bench which heard the NAB appeal, said he wants all references be concluded as soon as possible, and ordered the NAB to conclude their proceedings within six weeks.
Khawaja Haris representing Nawaz Sharif, said Judge Muhammad Bashir should not hear other two references against the former prime minister as he has already delivered judgment against the Sharifs in the Avenfied Apartments reference.
The Chief Justice said that they have heard his arguments and will pass an order.
Upon that, Haris argued it would be unfair, saying let Judge Bashir decide this matter. It is for the fifth time that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) approached the Supreme Court for extension to dispose of graft references against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members.
The Supreme Court in its July 28, 2017 verdict in the Panama Papers case had disqualified Nawaz Sharif and directed the NAB to file three references against him, his daughter, son-in-law and sons.
The accountability court was initially given six months to conclude the references, while an extension of two months was given in March and one month in May.
The apex court on May 9, 2018 had extended the deadline for the accountability court to conclude trial in three corruption references against Nawaz Sharif and his family members until June 9.
However when it did not happen, the Supreme Court on June 10 directed the accountability court to wrap up the trial against Nawaz Sharif and his family members in the corruption references filed by NAB within a month.
