Nawaz says NAB court should delay verdict in Avenfield case till he returns to Pakistan

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the accountability court in Islamabad should delay announcing the verdict in the Avenfield properties referencetill the time he is able to return to the country. Talking to reporters in London, the ex-prime minister said he wants to hear the judgement of the case while standing in the courtroom where he “endured more than 100 hearings” with his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Sharif said Pakistan has had a history of verdicts remaining “unnecessarily” reserved for months, hence delaying the judgement of the Avenfield case for a few days “considering an extremely sensitive matter” would not violate any requi- site of justice or law. “I want to hear this judgement while standing in the courtroom, amidst my people [and] holding them as witnesses,” he said, adding that his lawyer will submit a formal application in the court requesting it to delay the announcement of the verdict. Sharif said the mission he has taken up is not an easy one, but that he is ready to give any sacrifice for the sake of people’s right to rule and to honour their vote. “I am not a military dictator who would run away in fear,” the ousted prime minister said, adding that he will not disappoint the nation by showing any cowardice. “The people are going to announce the decision bigger than all decisions on July 25,” he said in a reference to the general elections scheduled for later this month. Sharif further said “those with the jeep [symbol]” — a reference to dissidents and other independents contesting on the jeep symbolagainst the PML-N — and others impeding the people’s rule “will become an example” after the poll. The former premier said he will “immediately” return to Pakistan as soon as his wife Kulsoom Nawaz’s health condition improves and will face the consequences whether the verdict comes out in his favour or not. He said he wishes to see his wife conscious and talk to her before returning to the country.