‘ No proof against me in Panama case’

■ Sharif appears for hearing in graft case against him They have not been able to prove any crime against me ( in Panama case) yet. Nawaz Sharif,

Pakistan’s ousted Premier Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday claimed he was disqualified by the Supreme Court on flimsy grounds and said there was no proof of any wrongdoing by him, after appearing in the anti- graft court trying him for alleged corruption in three cases.

The cases are related to the Panama Papers scandal that had forced the threetime prime minister to resign.

“They have not been able to prove any crime against me yet,” he said.

Mr Sharif, 67, said he was disqualified on flimsy grounds and alleged efforts were on to find “evidence of any wrongdoing by me”.

The cases were launched on September 8 following the Supreme Court verdict of July 28 that disqualified Sharif as Prime Minister and ordered the National Accountability Bureau ( NAB) for institution cases against him.

Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir conducted the hearing against Mr Sharif, his daughter Maryam, and soninlaw Muhammad Safdar.

The court later adjourned the hearing till January 9.

The former premier, who of had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a “deal” with Pakistan’s powerful military, returned home on Tuesday along with his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif.

The NAB produced two new witnesses in court who recorded their evidence and the defence lawyer also cross- examined them. A third witness who had already appeared also was recalled to provide additional documents.

After the hearing, Mr Sharif again lambasted his political rival Pakistan Tehreek- e- Insaf chief Imran Khan who was given bail by an anti- terror court on Tuesday in four cases

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister