Accountability Court on Thursday gave last chance to the counsel for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members to make final arguments in the Avenfield reference. Counsel for Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd), Amjad Pervez, was scheduled to make final arguments in the Avenfield reference but his associate Muhammad Aurangzeb informed the court at the start of the hearing that he (Pervez) is ill and is therefore unable to appear before the court. He requested the court to adjourn the case till next date of hearing.
Another lawyer, Jahangir Jadoon, appeared before the Accountability Court and submitted his power of attorney (Vakalatnama) on behalf of his client Nawaz Sharif as Sharif's leading counsel Khawaja Haris a few days ago recused himself from representing Sharif in three corruption references, following the Supreme Court's directives to complete the trial of the case within one month and conduct its hearing also on Saturdays.
The Accountability Court during the previous hearing asked Sharif to arrange a new lawyer or convince Haris till June 14. The judge said that this the last chance for the defence counsel for final arguments in the Avenfield reference. The judge further said that he will give short time to defense for making final arguments.
He said the Supreme Court's directives are only for this court and not for the defense and prosecution. The deadline given by the apex court will expire on July 8, he said. On this, Jadoon said the court may seek further extension in the deadline. "Now I feel ashamed to seek any further extension," the judge replied. The judge further said, "Even if I will have to sit till evening, I will hear and conclude the case."
Earlier, objecting to the defense counsel's absence, Deputy Prosecutor General National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi said the defense counsel is deliberately using various tactics to delay the case. Despite availing sufficient time from the court, he has made fun of this trial and is not cooperating with the court, he said.
He said that during the previous hearing, defense counsel Pervez made commitment with the court that he will make final arguments during the next hearing and now he avoided it on the pretext of illness. "If the lawyers of the accused cannot argue before the court then call the accused to make arguments," Abbasi told the court.
Abbasi said if Pervez is not available then Jadoon should start final arguments in the case as he has submitted his power of attorney. On this, Jadoon said that his client has not instructed him so far to start final arguments. The judge asked Jadoon: "You have submitted power of attorney but instructions have not been given to you."
Jadoon said he was only instructed to file exemptions pleas of the accused. While objecting to Abbasi's arguments, Aurangzeb said that they have no right to dictate the court. Defense is completely cooperating with the court in this case, he said, adding that Khawaja Haris worked harder for nine months in this case and it would be difficult for a new lawyer to deal with this case.
On this, the judge said that Jadoon is coming to the court from day one during the case and he understands the case. Jodoon replied that Sharif is in contact with Haris and efforts are being made to convince him. He requested the court to adjourn the hearing of the case till June 19. Later the court adjourned hearing till June 19. The judge said the defence counsel will make final arguments from 9:00am to 11:00am in the Avenfield reference and from 11:00am, the defense counsel will cross-examine prosecution witness Wajid Zia in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case on June 19.