–Former premier claims ‘baseless’ case formed against him by political opponents
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been recording his statement in Al-Azizia Steels Mills reference under 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the court of Judge Arshad Malik, on Thursday refused to present arguments in his defence.
The former premier maintained that the references were filed against him as political revenge by his opponents, claiming that the prosecution has failed to prove the allegations against him.
While recording his statement, Sharif said, “I am not going to present my defence in the Al-Azizia Steel Mill reference. A baseless case was formed against me and the prosecution has failed to prove the allegations against me.”
He further said that he is neither the real owner nor a benamidaar of Al-Azizia Steel Mill or Hill Metal Establishment and prosecution has also failed to prove otherwise. He further claimed, “I did not send any money from Pakistan to my sons for foreign education, living or business.”
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo further said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has failed to present any evidence linking him to the Al-Azizia Steel Mill or Hill Metal Establishment. He further contended that the prosecution has also failed to prove that he was the guardian of Hasan and Hussain Nawaz.
“Anti-graft watchdog has also failed to present evidence proving that my sons were benamidaars of Al-Azizia Steel Mill or Hill Metal Establishment,” he claimed.
Nawaz Sharif further said that the NAB has also failed to prove indictment charges against him.
Moreover, he reiterated that the case was formed against him on the basis of allegations levelled by his political opponents and “biased” report of the joint investigation team (JIT) which “incorrectly showed him as the owner of Al-Azizia Steel Mill and Hill Metal Establishment”. He added that even the Supreme Court bench had expressed its dissatisfaction with the report and sent the matter to the trial court so there are no doubts.
The former premier further argued that no other witness except for the JIT head and investigation officer gave statements against him.
“Their statements are not acceptable testimonies; however, they had both accepted that there were no documents to prove that I was the owner of Al-Azizia Steel Mill and Hill Metal Establishment,” Nawaz claimed.
He also shared that Al-Azizia Steel Mill was established by his father in 2001 and Hussain Nawaz was 29 years old at that time.
The former premier has been recording his statement in Al-Aziza Steels Mills reference for the last few hearings wherein he had to provide answers to 151 questions, however, he has only answered 147 questions and sought more time to answer remaining four “complicated” questions in the last hearing.
The top court on Monday granted another “final” extension of three weeks to the accountability court for concluding corruption references against the Sharif family.
The apex court had previously granted six extensions to the accountability court to conclude the trials.
In October, the apex court had ordered the accountability court to finalise both references by Nov 17, adding that it will be the ‘final’ extension and the court will be held accountable if the trial is not concluded by then.
from Pakistan Today
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