Prosecution failed to prove its case against Nawaz: Haris

ISLAMABAD: Khawaja Haris, counsel for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in his concluding arguments before the Accountability Court (AC) of Islamabad Wednesday, stated that the prosecution side had failed to prove its case in the Avenfied London property reference.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors had failed to prove the allegations against the Sharif family members as they could not shift the burden of proof to his client, he added.

AC judge Muhammad Bashir conducted hearing of the Avenfield property reference filed by NAB against the Sharif family members. Former prime minister and his daughter Maryam Nawaz did not appear before the court due to exemption from hearing as they had gone to London to inquire after the health of ailing Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

Khawaja Haris, in his final arguments, said the prosecution had put the burden of proof on the defence side, as they could not prove that the London flats were owned by Nawaz Sharif. They could discuss the supposed difference between income and assets of Nawaz, if his ownership of flats were proven, he added.

He stated that the investigation officer also did not bring any witness on record to establish that Nawaz was the owner of London flats.

Khawaja Haris said prosecution witness Panama Joint Investigation Team head Wajid Zia had never stated that Nawaz was involved in the business of Gulf Steel Mills. No prosecution witness had stated that Nawaz's son Hassan was a dependent of his father, he maintained.

The defence counsel said the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)’s official Sidra Mansoor could not even verify the documents she had presented in the court.

Later, the court adjourned the case till Thursday when Khawaja Haris will continue his concluding arguments.