Sharif likens graft cases to a ‘flop’ movie

Ousted premier appears before accountability court in the Panama Papers scandal

The cases against him pertain to Al Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London’s Avenfield properties.

Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday compared the corruption cases against him with a ‘flop’ film as he appeared before an accountability court trying him for graft in the Panama Papers scandal that forced him to resign.

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

Sharif, 68, arrived in the court — his 13th appearance — in Islamabad.

He was accompanied by daughter Maryam and sonin-law Mohammad Safdar, who are co-accused in one of three cases.

During the hearing, at least two more witnesses produced by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recorded their statements.

Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Harris cross-examined the witnesses.

Later, the court postponed hearing till January 23 and summoned three more witnesses.

Sharif, after the court hearing, narrated a story about a famous big-budget film in the 1960s to dismiss corruption charges against him.

“After it was released, amid much fanfare, someone asked the producer and director how the movie was faring, to which they replied ‘Pehlay haftay zabardast, doosray haftay zabardasti (The first week was great but the second was forced),” Sharif said as he linked the ‘flop’ movie to his own corruption cases.

“You [media] are here covering the case. You better know these cases and how strong they are?” he said.

He also criticised his political opponents planning protests this week against his party’s rule in Punjab province. He asked them to wait for another four months when general elections are due to be held.

The three cases against him pertain to the Al Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London’s Avenfield properties.

Sharif and some of his family members are facing charges relating to their overseas properties.