*ISLAMABAD* – The accountability court (AC) on Saturday sought its fifthextension from the Supreme Court (SC) to conclude the trial against NawazSharif and Maryam Nawaz as filed by the National Accountability Bureau(NAB).

The deadline for the conclusion of proceedings in the graft references hasexpired without a fresh extension from the Supreme Court. Therefore, thecourt has sought its fifth extension from the apex court to conclude trial.

Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik has written a letter to the top courtrequesting more time in the trial of ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif and hisdaughter Maryam Nawaz, who are currently imprisoned at the Adiala Jail,along with their two absconding sons.

The court has summoned head of the SC-appointed Joint Investigation Team(JIT) in Panama case Wajid Zia for his cross-examination in the Al-Aziziaand Hill Metal Establishment references on Monday.

The court is yet to record statements of Wajid Zia and the investigationofficer in Flagship reference while the investigation officer in Al-Aziziareference has partially recorded his statement. Zia’s cross-examinationwould continue from Monday as, on previous hearing, the judge expressedthat he intended to hear both the reference side by side and conclude themin one go.