JIT head completes recording statement in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference
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ISLAMABAD: Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Wajid Zia Tuesday completed recording of his statement before the Accountability Court (AC) of Islamabad in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the Sharif family members.
Defence counsel Khawaja Haris will start cross-examination of the JIT head's statement Wednesday (tomorrow).
AC Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the reference. Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (Retd) Muhammad Safdar attended the court proceedings.
Prosecution witness Wajid Zia, who completed the statement on fourth day, informed the court that despite requests, the accused did not provide the documents and financial statements related to the Hill Metal Company to the JIT.
He said the Hill Metal Company generated profit of 9.9 million dollars after tax deduction during the years 2010 to 2017. About 88% of the profit was shifted to Nawaz Sharif by the company management during the years 2010 to 2015, he claimed.
He also claimed that in 2015, the company incurred loss of 1.5 million dollars, yet an amount of 2.1 million dollars was transferred to the former prime minister.
Opposing the statement, Khawaja Haris said the statements related to Hassan Nawaz and Hussein Nawaz, which could not be presented as evidence in their absence.
Wajid Zia said on the basis of available evidence, the JIT reached the conclusion that Nawaz Sharif was the beneficial owner of Hill Metal Company.
The JIT head also claimed that an amount of 0.8 million pounds was also transferred to Hassan Nawaz in 2015.
The court also heard arguments from both sides at large regarding the NAB's request for recording the statements of accused in the Avenfield property reference under Section 342 and reserved its judgment.
Later, the court announced its verdict that it would give a questionnaire to the defence counsel for preparations before recording the statements of accused in the reference. APP/AFP
