Nawaz terms NAB proceedings as ‘murder of justice’
Former prime minister also shared that he will return to Pakistan before October 26
October 19, 2017
LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif termed the National Accountability Bureau proceedings against his family as ‘murder of justice’ on Thursday.
While speaking to media, he remarked “You tell me if this is justice or murder of justice” when asked about his indictment in corruption cases.
He reiterated his earlier claims that the Supreme Court’s verdict in which he was disqualified and had to step down as country’s prime minister was given on Iqama (work permit) and not Panama.
“First there was Panama case, which went on for a long time, then Iqama came in front,” he remarked, adding that “decision was not given on Panama but Iqama.”
So many people in Pakistani have iqamas, but because “they couldn’t give a verdict on Panama so they used Iqama,” he added.
“Today’s verdict [of the accountability court] is also related to the initial verdict” he claimed.
“I would have accepted the decision had it exposed any corruption or government taking kickbacks,” but nothing came to the forefront, former prime minister remarked.
Criticising the Joint Investigation Team, which was formed to probe his assets, he claimed that “JIT tried its best [to incriminate me] and my opposers were handpicked to become members of the JIT.”
“Of course, they had to give such a report,” he said referring to his earlier claims that the JIT’s report was biased against him.
“I think that if our justice system continues like this then we will get nothing but embarrassment.”
On his wife’s health, he remarked that he is in London just because of his wife’s treatment. “She’s in pain so I am with her.”
However, he did promise that he will return to Pakistan soon. “I will go back to Pakistan.”
Sharing his travel plans, he said: “I will travel before October 26.”
Earlier in the day, Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar were indicted in the Avenfield properties case.
The accountability court hearing corruption cases against the Sharif family indicted the three accused after dismissing their separate pleas to suspend proceedings and halt their indictment.
Nawaz, through his representative Zafir Khan, Maryam and Safdar rejected the charges by pleading 'not guilty' and vowed to contest the case.
The charges state that the 2006 trust deed of the London properties is fake as it used the Calibri font before it was made publicly available while the accused also submitted bogus documents in the Supreme Court.
The court also adjourned the hearing of the Avenfield properties and Azizia Steel Mills references until October 26 and directed the prosecution to produce its first witness — Jamshed Ahmed — at the next hearing.
