Former PM Nawaz reaches Punjab House, indictment in graft cases postponed

Former PM Nawaz reaches Punjab House, indictment in graft cases postponed

Islamabad (Staff Report): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has reached Punjab House after attending the accountability court’s proceeding in three corruption references filed by the NAB against him and his family.

The court postponed his indictment in graft cases, ordering him to appear before the court on October 9.

Nawaz Sharif’s children Hassan, Hussain and Maryam as well as son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar skipped the third consecutive accountability proceedings on Monday (today).

According to details, around 2,000 personnel of the police and Rangers have been deployed in and around the judicial complex where the hearing is taking place.

Media representatives, as well as supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and members of the government, have been barred from entering the judicial complex.

Nawaz was accompanied by his political aide, Senator Asif Kirmani, and only his vehicle was allowed to enter the complex.

The accountability court had summoned Sharif, his children Maryam Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz, and son-in-law retired Captain Mohammad Safdar on Monday (today) in references pertaining to Avenfield apartments, Azizia Steel Mills and offshore companies filed against them by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Judge Mohammad Bashir is conducting the hearing, during which the former premier is expected to be indicted. In the last hearing, the ousted prime minister was provided copies of references against him.

On September 26, the court had also issued bailable arrest warrants for his children and Nawaz's daughter Maryam, sons Hussain and Hasan, and son-in-law as they failed to appear before it, despite two earlier summons.