Pakistan: Sharif appears before court in remaining two graft cases
Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday again appeared before an anti-corruption court in the remaining two graft cases against him and his family, according to a media report. The 68-year-old PML-N leader appeared before the court as Accountability Court II Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik resumed hearing of Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment cases, Geo News reported. Here's more.
Accountability court to conclude remaining cases in next 6 weeks
Sharif's counsel Khawaja Harris cross-questioned Panamagate Joint Investigation Team head and prosecution's witness, Wajid Zia. On Monday, the Pakistan Supreme Court ordered the accountability court to conclude the remaining two corruption cases against Sharif and his family within the next six weeks. Judge Malik had submitted a written request to the Supreme Court seeking an extension to conclude the Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment cases.
Malik to submit progress report to SC on weekly basis
The top court also directed accountability judge Malik to submit a progress report of the case to the apex court on a weekly basis.
Sharif, daughter Maryam already serving jail term in Rawalpindi
Sharif, along with his daughter Maryam (44), and son-in-law Capt (Retd) Muhammad Safdar (54), are already serving jail terms of 10 years, seven years, and one year respectively in the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The accountability court had convicted them on July 6 this year over the family's ownership of four luxury flats in London through illegal means.
Sharif's sons have been declared as 'absconders'
Apart from Sharif, his two sons, Hassan and Hussain, are also co-accused in all the corruption cases. The court has declared Sharif's sons as absconders due to their persistent failure to appear before it. They've been blacklisted, barring them from traveling on their Pakistani passports.
