ISLAMABAD: The conclusion of trial of references and pronouncement ofjudgments against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif is bound to dragbeyond the July 25 general elections because of his counsel Khawaja Haris’recusal to continue as his lawyer, legal brains firmly believe.
The advocate’s reaction that he conveyed to the accountability court wasthe consequence of the Supreme Court’s latest direction that the threereferences should be decided in one month, the third extension to wrap upthe cases, saying that the accused and the nation is undergoing mentalstress and agony.
“There is no doubt that after Khawaja Haris’ recusal, the references wouldfurther linger on. It is quite obvious that the new counsel would requiretime to prepare. The Supreme Court’s direction to speed up the trial is notjustified because it will affect the whole case. This will also create animpression that the defendants are being victimized and are to be convictedin any case,” renowned lawyer Abid Hassan Minto told The News whencontacted.
Another senior advocate, Akram Chaudhry, told this correspondent that thecase will definitely drag due to Haris’ walkout. “The new counsel will seektime that the accountability court judge will have to give to prepare. Hewill need to go through voluminous record.”
The lawyer said that it was a normal practice that the judges grant time tothe new counsel if the attorneys previously representing parties refuse tocontinue. He believed that Haris’ refusal may be intended to delay thetrial.
Khawaja Haris told the accountability judge that it was not possible forhim to pursue these cases under such pressure and expressed his inabilityto work on Saturdays and Sundays — which are official weekly courtholidays. “I spend the weekend preparing arguments which is why I would notbe able to continue with the case if court proceedings are held onSaturdays.”