Bulletins 1200 2nd November 2017

ISLAMABAD: A divisional bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday is to resume hearing on a plea filed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, seeking to halt the indictment proceedings against him in an accountability court.

At the last hearing, a two-member bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani and Justice Aamer Farooq heard the petition filed through ex-PM Sharif’s representative Zafir Khan and issued notices to the federal government.

On Oct 25, Sharif’s representative Zafir Khan filed as many as three pleas, challenging the NAB court’s indictment in the corruption references.

The ousted premier through his representative had pleaded the IHC to declare the NAB court’s ruling as unlawful, besides consolidation of three graft references.

Moreover, the former premier, in his petitions, had also pleaded for a single trial on a single charge rather than three.

On Oct 19, the NAB court indicted ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar in a reference regarding Avenfield apartments in London..

It is apropos to mention here that the reference relates to the Avenfield properties (flats 16, 16-A, 17 and 17-A Avenfield House, Park Lane, London, United Kingdom).

The court then indicted Sharif in another reference regarding Aziza Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment.

However, Sharif’s lawyer Zafir Khan – who was representing him in his absence – pleaded ‘not guilty’ soon after the charged was framed.