ISLAMABAD – Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir on Monday excusedfrom hearing the Al-Azizia and Flagship references against former primeminister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif andhis family filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in line withthe Supreme Court verdict in Panamagate case.
In a letter written to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), he said he could nothear the references.
He requested the IHC to transfer the cases to another courts.
Judge Muhammad Bashir stated that he had given judgement in case pertainingto Avenfield reference against the ex-PM and his family, adding that he hasno objection to his transfer as Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer has also raisedobjection and it would not be possible for him to hear the cases afterobjections.
Earlier last week, the accountability court judge had adjourned the hearingof Al-Azizia Steel Mills Reference against Sharif family till July 12,while Khawaja Harris, the counsel of PML-N supremo had raised objection onMuhammad Bashir over hearing of other two references.
Khawaja Harris said that Muhammad Bashir had given verdict in Avenfieldreference so he cannot hear the other two references.
It is pertinent here to mention that on Friday, accountability court JudgeMuhammad Bashir had sentenced Nawaz Sharif to 10 years, his daughter Maryamto seven years and son-in-law, Muhammad Safdar to one-year imprisonment ina corruption case named Avenfield Apartment reference.
The sentences, delivered in absentia, against Nawaz Sharif and his daughterwho is widely seen as his political heir, have dealt a blow to theirPakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.
On Saturday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested formerprime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo NawazSharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz minutes after they landed at Lahore’sAllama Iqbal International Airport.
The former prime minister and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were then shiftedto Adiala jail where they were given B-class facilities.
The father-daughter duo had returned to Pakistan from London after beingconvicted in the Avenfield property case.