Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The Supreme Court on Monday granted three weeks to the accountability court to conclude the Al-Azizia reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members.
A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the plea filed by accountability court judge Arshad Malik as the deadline to conclude the Al-Azizia reference ended on November 17.
On November 16, the AC judge wrote a letter to the Supreme Court to seek another extension in the deadline to conclude the cases.
“After this, more time will not be given to conclude the Al-Azizia reference trial,” Justice Nisar remarked while granting three weeks to complete the trial.
On October 12, the SC granted sixth extension in the deadline to the accountability court to conclude two corruption references against the Sharif family.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, heard the petition.
Nawaz Sharif's legal counsel Khawaja Haris appeared before the court and requested an eight-week extension to conclude the Flagship Investment and Al-Azizia corruption references.
The top court, however, rejected the plea, stating that it could not grant more than four weeks to conclude the cases.
“Khawaja Sahib, we have always honoured your requests but you give an impression that you are not listened to,” observed the chief justice while addressing the counsel.
The CJP continued that the cases have stirred differences among two brothers.
“You know which brothers I am referring to,” remarked the top judge while addressing Khawaja Haris.
Further, the chief justice remarked that the accountability court judge will be questioned if the trial is not wrapped up during the given time.
The apex court's deadline to conclude a corruption trial against the Sharifs had ended on October 7, after which, an extension plea had been submitted to the SC.
The top court has now fixed November 17th as the final date for concluding the references filed in line with the directives of the court in the Panama Papers Case.
According to sources, Judge Arshad Malik of Accountability Court II had written a letter to the SC to request an extension in the deadline. He had apprised the top court of the progress in the Al-Azizia and Flagship corruption references against the Sharif family.
On August 27, the Supreme Court had directed the accountability court to decide the Al Azizia and Flagship corruption references within six weeks.
