SC observations on Sharif ouster not binding, court told

ISLAMABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s lead defence counsel Khawaja Haris has apprised the accountability court that the Supreme Court’s observations on the disqualification of his client were not binding on the trial court.

Arguing before trial Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik, Haris said the Supreme Court on July 28, 2017 disqualified Sharif from holding the prime minister’s office on the basis of two key points which are not subject of the presence reference before the accountability court.

In response to the query of Judge Malik regarding Sharif's disqualification, Haris argued that the apex court in its decision categorically said its observations were not binding on the trial court.

He said the apex court had disquali-fied the ex-premier for concealing a “receivable” salary while mentioning his assets in a declaration form. He said Sharif was not facing any allegation of forgery and perjury while the apex court directed the trial court to decide the references on the basis of available evidence.

The counsel said his client had never stated at any forum that he had been associated with the family business by any means. He said the Supreme Court referred the matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) For iling references against Sharif.

Haris said the prosecution accused the ex-premier of being the real owner of some companies companies, which were established by his son Hassan in 2001.

He said the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that probed Panama case linked Sharif with the businesses of his two sons, Hassan and Hussain, due to his employment in a Gulf company as its chairman. He said Sharif during his exile required an Iqama to travel to and from the Gulf country and owing to this fact he was required to be associated with any company.

The JIT connected Hussain’s Company with Hassan’s irm since the former had lent 615,000 pounds to the latter in 2008-09. Hassan in 2009-10 provided Rs87.3 million to Sharif Sugar Mills, owned by the Sharif family, and in 2012-13 Hassan gifted 800,000 pounds to Maryam Nawaz.

“Sharif was never charge-sheeted for receiving any amount from his son, Hassan,” Haris said.