Mossak Fonesca, BVIFIA not named Nawaz as owner of London flats

ISLAMABAD: Defence counsel Khawaja Haris Tuesday reiterated that Mossak Fonesca and British Virgin Islands Financial Investment Agency (BVIFIA) had also not named former Nawaz Sharif as beneficial owner of London flats.

Continuing his concluding arguments in the Avenfield property reference on sixth day in the Accountability Court of Islamabad, he stated that the prosecution had presented a flow chart but did not produce the person as witness who had prepared it. The defence should be given an opportunity to cross-examine evidence that were produced before the court against his client, he added.

Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir resumed hearing of the reference. Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz did not appear before court due to exemption from hearing.

Khawaja Haris said the flow chart could not be used against Nawaz Sharif as NAB witness Sidra Mansoor had also admitted for not preparing it herself.

He said the joint investigation team (JIT) had also not inquired from Mossak Fonesca, which was a private firm, regarding Nawaz Sharif's connection with the London flats. It was also not on record that how the JIT obtained letters from BVIFIA (British Virgin Islands Financial Investigation Agency), he said, adding that there was no stamps on the letters as well.

The defence counsel said the letters appeared suddenly, which were then sent by the JIT for verification.

Talking about the Radely's report, he said Robert Radley first stated that Calibri font could not be used before 2007 but later during the cross-examination he admitted its use before that time. He also admitted that he was not an IT and computer expert, he continued.

Earlier, the NAB prosecutor objected over the lengthy concluding arguments being given by the defence counsel as he be doing so he was consuming too much time.

Haris, however, said he was not feeling well and was trying to complete the as soon as possible. He will continue his arguments on Wednesday.