The court however granting remand observed prima facie sufficient and reasonable grounds had been referred by the prosecution to justify custody of the suspects. He noted that evidence was available with the NAB that significant amounts had been shown to be invested by the suspects without having any ostensible sources of income.
The NAB had arrested Maryum Nawaz the other day from Kot Lakhpat jail where she went to visit her father former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Earlier the NAB presented Maryam Nawaz and Yousaf Abbas before of accountability courts' duty administrative judge Naeem Arshad with a request to grant their 15-day physical remand. Special Prosecutor submitted an application for the remand and said though inquiry was initiated in 2018 yet some incriminating evidence to establish the involvement of the suspects had recently been discovered.
He said investments of variable heavy amounts were made by Maryam Nawaz being main shareholder at the time of setting up M/s Chaudhry Sugar Mills. He said Maryam Nawaz was also involved in money laundering with the help of some foreigners during the period of 1992-93 when her father Nawaz Sharif was prime minister.
He said a huge amount of Rs 400 million was poured in by her in 2008 despite the fact that she was having no independent sources of income. Regarding Abbas, the prosecutor leveled similar allegations and sought his custody.
Representing Maryam advocate Amjad Pervez opposed the remand for being unjustified. He argued that there was a strong nexus and relevance of the instant case with the Supreme Court's judgment in Panama Papers. He said arrest of Maryam in this inquiry amounted to double jeopardy and malicious prosecution. He further said that grounds of the arrest had not been furnished to the suspects.
Extraordinary security arrangements were taken outside the judicial complex as all adjoining roads were cordoned off while heavy contingent of anti-riot police was deployed in and outside the complex.
The police placed containers and barb-wires to block the roads, however, hundreds of PML-N's workers managed to reach the complex. PML-N leaders including Muhammad Zubair, Khurram Dastagir and Azma Bokhari also turned up at the court to express solidarity with Ms Nawaz. Maryam Nawaz's husband retired Capt Muhammad Safdar, son and daughter were also present in the court.
Minor skirmishes between the police personnel and lawyers affiliated to the PML-N were witnessed outside the courtroom. The police also manhandled media persons and denied them entry to the court. On Lower Mall Road, MPA Azma Bokhari and other women of the party had a scuffle with the police when a male cop physically tried to stop them from heading towards the judicial complex. She almost fainted during the episode. The police however later allowed Uzma to enter the court room.