Sharif's counsel withdraws from representing him in NAB cases

Khawaja Haris, the legal counsel of deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, withdrew on Monday from representing Sharif in the corruption cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

While withdrawing from representing Sharif, Haris said that he could not work under such circumstances as directed by the Supreme Court (SC). He said the top court had not accepted his stance on completing the trial in six weeks, local media reported.

He even expressed his reservations on appearing on weekends to proceed with the corruption references. The NAB references proceedings are likely to be delayed until Sharif hires a new counsel.

Nawaz Sharif vows to continue struggle for sanctity of vote

On Sunday, the SC gave one month deadline to the accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir. Judge Bashir had requested the top court to extend the deadline, which expired on June 9.

The accountability court has been ordered to wrap up all three corruption references against the Sharif family by the apex court. The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar observed that the accountability court take up trials on weekends as well in order to reach the deadline.

The CJP has also allowed Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz to visit ailing Kulsoom Nawaz, who is undergoing treatment in London.