Avenfield reference: AC seeks replies of 127 questions from Nawaz, Maryam & Safdar

The Accountability Court (AC) hearing corruption reference against Sharif family has sought replies of 127 questions from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Safdar and son-in-law Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd) in Avenfield reference. The questionnaire which consists of 127 questions was handed over to the accused Sharif, Maryam and Safdar through their counsels on May 17. The Accountability Court on Friday last gave last chance to Sharif and his relatives to record their statements on Monday (tomorrow).
The document includes question as to why the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that probed the Panama Papers case was formed, and sought all the evidence presented before the court as well as letters from other countries. It also included queries about the establishment of Gulf Steel Mills and the debts and liabilities of the entity. It also contains question how Nawaz's children became the directors and shareholders of Hudaibiya Paper Mills.
The questionnaire also asked how accused Nawaz Sharif being public office holder owned and possessed Avenfield properties including flats No 16, 16a, 17 and 17a through offshore companies, namely Nielson and Nescoll, in the name of his benamidar and failed to account for source of acquisition of the said properties and whether these properties have been in his possession or other accused since 1993. It asked what they say about that.
It was also asked, "In your (accused) applications you have stated to have taken possession of these London apartments at the time Hussain Nawaz was student in 1993 and 1996. What do you say about it?" "You (Sharif) were holder of public office. You remained chief minister Punjab, finance minister Punjab, prime minister, and member of National Assembly of Pakistan. What do you say about it?"
"The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) initiated a number of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) letter of requests to the United Kingdom, British Virgin Island, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. What do you say about it?" asks another question.
Another question asks the accused: "Gulf Steel Mills was set up with zero equity and 100 percent loan and its other partner was Muhammad Hussain. What do you say about it?"
The questionnaire further asks: "Similarly, call-up notices were issued to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and other accused Maryam Safdar, Muhammad Safdar and absconding accused Hussain and Hassan with a note that in case of non-appearance, it would be construed that you and they have nothing more to offer in the defence. What do you say about it?"
"It is in the evidence that you (Nawaz Sharif) delivered speech and in an address to nation stated that sale proceeds of Dubai factory were utilized for establishing factory in Jeddah and Jeddah factory was soled for 64 million riyals and those were the source for purchase of London flats. What do you want to say about your speech?"
The questionnaire says: "It is in evidence that prosecution witness Wajid Zia produced in his evidence original certificate regarding Capital FZE. What do you say about?" It says: "It has come on record there is no LC for transportation of scrap machinery of Al Ahli Steel Mills from Dubai to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as per you claim. What do you say about it?"
The questionnaire asks the accused: "The contention of the accused regarding collection of AED 12 million collected from Al-Ahli in cash and deposited with Fahad Bin Jasim Al Thani by Tariq Shafi is without any documentary proof and wrong assertion. What do you say about it?"
It also asked question about the television interviews of Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, statements of witnesses, forensic experts Robert Radley and Quest Solicitor Akhtar Riaz Raja, and JIT head Wajid Zia.
A question about why the reference was filed against Nawaz and the statements of prosecution's witnesses against the deposed prime minister is also part of the document. The court has also inquired the defendant if they want to submit any evidence in their defence.