While referring to the supplementary reference filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Avenfield properties and expected supplementary references to be filed in connection with Flagship Investments and Al-Azizia Steel Mills, he said for how long such supplementary references will continue to be submitted against his family.
"It shows that the references filed earlier have nothing and they are just repackaging them," he said, adding that "if there had been any truth or evidence in the original reference then there would be no need for filing supplementary references."
He further said those who forwarded and prepared these references against his family want to punish him at any cost. In an apparent reference to former President Pervez Musharraf, Sharif said, "I am not scared. I am facing this accountability. Action should also be taken against the person who abrogated the Constitution, imposed martial law twice, arrested judges and is facing a treason case. But he is not facing any accountability, no contempt, no punishment and no fingers are being raised against him."
Sharif did not respond to a question about former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's statement through which the latter had expressed his inability to work under regarding Maryam Nawaz. Earlier, Sharif along with his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd) appeared before the Accountability Court hearing three corruption references against him and his family amid tight security arrangements.
At the outset of hearing, judge Muhammad Bashir asked whether witnesses summoned to the court are present to which the NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi replied that all witnesses are present in the court. Defense counsel Amjad Pervez told the court that Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has announced three-day mourning over the death of lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir; therefore, the hearing of the case should be adjourned.
Objecting to the defense counsel's request, the NAB deputy prosecutor general said that defense is using delaying tactics while taking adjournments due to which prosecution and witnesses are suffering. However, the court accepted the defense counsel's request.
The defense counsel also filed exemption pleas of Sharif, Maryam and Safdar for two weeks from February 19 on account of medical condition of Nawaz's wife Kulsoom Nawaz. He told the court that the condition of Kulsoom is very critical and doctors have advised her to undergo more tests. The presence of Nawaz Sharif is mandatory when doctors will conduct these important tests of his wife, he said.
The court adjourned hearing of the case till Feb 15 and also issued notice to the NAB to argue before the court on exemption plea on the same date. The court will record the statements of remaining prosecution witnesses in a supplementary reference filed in Avenfield properties on Feb 15. The judge also questioned the prosecution for its failure to present supplementary references in Al-Azizia and Flagship cases. The court then issued notice to director general NAB Rawalpindi to explain the reasons behind the delay in filing supplementary references.
The court turned down the request of defense counsel to give 14 days for making arrangements for recording statement of two UK-based witnesses and fixed February 22 for recording the statements of two UK-based witnesses.