News Analysis |
Accountability court has adjourned the hearing of Nawaz Sharif’s Al Azizia and Flagship corruption references till July 30. Accountability Court-I Judge Mohammad Bashir resumed hearing today in Adiala Jail.
Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris again objected to the proceedings being heard by the same judge [Mohammad Bashir] that has already ruled in one of the three corruption cases against his client.
Judge Bashir made it clear that it does not come under his jurisdiction to decide on the matter. NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi objected to the concerns shown by the Nawaz’s counsel and said that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has not issued any stay order on the trial proceedings and called for the continuation of the cases.
Nawaz counsel believes that it was a deliberate effort from NAB and the certain elements having vested interest in Nawaz’s case to not let him become part of the campaign.
NAB believes that it would be appropriate for the same judge to continue the proceedings until the end since he knows everything about the cases after overseeing the trail from day one. The hearing of the case was adjourned until July 30 and IHC adjourned the proceedings until the end of July.
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IHC is yet to decide on Judge Bashir’s letter and has postponed the proceedings on Nawaz’s plea for suspension of sentence until the end of July. On July 06, Nawaz was sentenced to 10-years in prison, along with a fine of £8 million for owning assets beyond the known income.
While his daughter Maryam was given seven years in prison along with a £2 million fine. She was found guilty of being “instrumental in concealment of the properties of her father”. Nawaz counsel believes that it was a deliberate effort from NAB and the certain elements having vested interest in Nawaz’s case to not let him become part of the campaign.
Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris again objected to the proceedings being heard by the same judge [Mohammad Bashir] that has already ruled in one of the three corruption cases against his client.
Nawaz absence for a month certainly backfired for the party and put the rival PTI on the front foot. But Nawaz’s return managed to generate buzz among its workers. It has reignited the party. Party activists are sympathetic towards their Supreme leader and are determined to vote for him.
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There was the probability of desertions, after his jail term, which did not happen. The PML-N voters still stand by Nawaz as per the surveys conducted by the various media outlets. There is no denying that PTI has made serious inroads around the Sharif’s strongholds along the grand trunk road, but PTI cannot be declared a clear winner as yet. PML-N continues to pull workers to its political gathering and this one will to go to the wire.