AC directs Maryam's counsel to conclude arguments till Monday

ISLAMABAD: The Accountability Court of Islamabad Friday directed Maryam Nawaz’s counsel Amjad Pervaiz to conclude his final arguments in Avenfield property reference on Monday and adjourned hearing of the case.

The Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir resumed hearing on Avenfield property reference against Sharif family members filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz couldn’t appear before court due to visiting Begum Kulsoom Nawaz in London.

As the hearing began, the defense counsel Amjad Pervaiz resumed his final arguments and reiterated that Nawaz was neither the owner of the London flats nor occupied them since 1993. Sharif family may have link to the property at some point but Nawaz was never associated with the London flats, he further said.

Pervez contended that it was to be seen if the verdict of Queen's bench was admissible evidence, adding that the summary of even that decision was not related to indictment.

He also presented prosecution witness Mazhar Raza Bangash's letter and questioned its authenticity. Bangash has said that he presented the record in a sealed envelope while NAB's witness Zawar Manzoor has stated that the envelope was not sealed.

Amjad Pervaiz said that Bungash has submitted the photocopies of the documents and thus could not be made part of the court's record as per the law.

He also objected over the absence of Shezi Naqvi who had submitted an affidavit in the case. He said that Rehman Malik's report was not official and even the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had not accepted it.

During proceeding, the court directed the defense counsel to conclude his arguments till coming Monday and adjourned hearing of the case till July 2.

Meanwhile, the court also summoned Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s Additional Director Wajid Zia, who headed the Panama case joint investigation team (JIT), on July 3 in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference.