ISLAMABAD: The last prosecution witness in the Avenfield properties reference against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family concluded his testimony in the accountability court on Monday.
National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Investigation Officer Imran Dogar was cross-examined by Maryam’s counsel Amjad Pervez.
Accountability Court Judge Mohammad Bashir is hearing the Avenfield properties reference against Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (r) Safdar.
Nawaz appeared before the accountability court whereas Maryam and her husband did not turn up and submitted exemption requests through their counsel. As the hearing started, Maryam’s counsel began the cross-examination of Dogar, who is the last prosecution witness. Later, Nawaz was allowed to leave the courtroom.
During his cross-examination, Dogar informed the court of NAB’s procedure of inquiries and investigations as well as lodging of references in a court. He informed the court that the interim investigation report of the Avenfield case was prepared on September 6 last year. He stated that he had no role in the work of the Panama Papers case joint investigation team.
Later, Pervez concluded his cross-examination after which the hearing was adjourned until 11:30 am on Tuesday. The prosecutor said he will give a statement in court on Tuesday on the conclusion of arguments and presentation of evidence. The court, responding to Pervez’s query, directed that the accused do not need to appear in court at the next hearing.
Nawaz and his family are facing three corruption cases in the accountability court after the NAB filed references against them in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panama Papers case. The corruption references, filed against the Sharifs, pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London.
Published in Daily Times, May 8th 2018.
