Pak court rejects Nawaz, Maryam exemption plea

Islamabad [Pakistan], Jul 2 (ANI): The accountability court of Islamabad on Monday rejected an application moved by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz seeking a seven-day exemption from personal appearance in the Avenfield Properties case.

However, the accountability judge has allowed the absence of Sharif and his daughter for a couple of days and has directed them to appear before the court on Wednesday, reported the Dawn.

The father-daughter duo had sought exemption from appearance in the aforementioned case, which was likely to be concluded by Tuesday.

Nawaz and Maryam are currently in London visiting Kulsoom Nawaz, who is suffering from cancer and is undergoing treatment there.

On June 14, both Sharif and his daughter left for the United Kingdom after they were granted a brief exemption from the ongoing trial.

Citing the condition of Kulsoom, Sharif moved an application for exemption from personal attendance on June 19 and was granted relief till until June 23.

Again a second application for exemption was filed on June 25 and the court granted the same for three days.

Sharif's counsel sought third exemption from July 02 to July 09, which has been turned down by the court.

Both Sharif and his daughter were suppose to return to Pakistan by June 27.

Nawaz Sharif and his family are facing trial in three corruption cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which are Avenfield properties, Gulf Steel Mills and Al-Azizia Steel Mills.

The trial against the Sharif family had commenced on September 14, 2017.

Nawaz and his sons, Hussain and Hasan- both based abroad, are accused in all three references whereas Maryam and her husband Safdar are accused in the Avenfield reference. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI