News @ 3 - 4th May 2018

ISLAMABAD: Imran Dogar, the investigation officer of the Avenfield properties reference against former premier Nawaz Sharif and members of his family, testified before an accountability court on Friday that the reference was filed on the basis of the material gathered by the Panama Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

As Judge Muhammad Bashir resumed hearing of the case, Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Captain Muhammad Safdar appeared before him to stand trial.

Sharifs’ lawyer Khawaja Haris began cross-examining prosecution witness Imran Dogar in the Avenfield case.

During his cross-examination, the witness explained how the bureau verifies a complaint when it is filed with it as per NAB Ordinance 1999.

After verification of the complaint, he added, an inquiry is launched into a matter and then converted into an investigation after the bureau finds sufficient evidence.

He said the Supreme Court directed NAB to file a reference on the basis of documentary evidence collected by the JIT that probed the Sharif family’s offshore properties. The JIT had acquired documents through NAB and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), he added.

After the defence counsel completed cross-examination, the court adjourned hearing of the case until Monday.