ISLAMABAD: The exchange of heated words was witnessed Thursday between the Defense Counsel Khawaja Haris and NAB Prosecutor Akram Qureshi during hearing of Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference before accountability court Islamabad.
Qureshi stated that the accused had plundered the national kitty and now they were claiming innocence before the court.
Objecting on it, Haris stated that the prosecutor was giving his decision before the court verdict, adding that the defense would file an application against such attitude.
Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik resumed hearing over a corruption reference against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif filed by Nation Accountability Bureau (NAB). Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appeared before court along with his legal team.
After the hearing started, the NAB Investigation Officer Mehboob Alam provided the copies of letters written to NAB headquarter and FIA seeking record related to the reference.
Haris asked the IO whether they had evaluated the verification of joint investigation team (JIT) report in accordance of ‘Qanoon e Shahadat’?
NAB prosecutor Akram Qureshi objected on it and stated, “Should we ask the apex court that who had verified this document.”
The defense counsel said that he would ask the question to those who had submitted evidence against his clients.
Haris said that the prosecution had lied regarding the letters written to FIA and NAB Headquarters. This invited the reaction of prosecutor, who stated that the accused had looted the nation’s money and claiming here as innocent.
The defense counsel blamed prosecutor for doing politics and stated that he was announcing his decision before court verdict.
On the request of Haris, the court ordered NAB IO to provide the letters’ copies to defense lawyer and adjourned hearing of the case till tomorrow.
APP