IHC Judge grills NAB on Maryam’s link to Avenfield properties
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ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Aamir Farooq asked National Accountability Bureau (NAB) counsel to explain how Maryam Nawaz ‘aided and abetted’ her father Nawaz Sharif in acquiring Avenfield properties in London in 1993 or 2006 when trust deed was signed. Justice Farooq also asked NAB special prosecutor Usman Cheema to prove through evidence that these properties were acquired by Nawaz Sharif in 1990s.
He said that if NAB could not prove case against principle accused Nawaz Sharif then there would be no significance of charges of aiding and abetting. Justice Farooq also made it clear that any Supreme Court observation in Panamagate judgment was not relevant to decision regarding Maryam Nawaz’s appeal against her conviction.
He said that NAB has to prove whether prosecution proved case against Maryam before accountability court. He asked Cheema about case against Maryam and her husband, whether NAB had investigated matter and whether witnesses were called for investigation. “We have to see how she helped acquire these properties,” said Justice Farooq, further asking NAB counsel how apartments were acquired in 1993. IHC Judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said that four charges against Maryam are fabrication, use of calibri font, misleading agency and concealing actual facts.
Justice Kayani noted that Maryam has not said that property was her’s, or that she owned it. “Minus trust deed, you have no case,” he added.
Prosecutor claimed that Maryam aided, abetted and assisted her father in acquiring properties in 2006. Justice Farooq asked NAB about Nawaz Sharif’s role in acquiring properties. He said that it was “basic criminal law” that prosecution must establish its case using evidence even if accused has admitted of committing crime. Judge inquired what evidence prosecution had to prove case against Nawaz Sharif.
“Prosecution has to establish case beyond reasonable doubt,” he said, adding that proceeding under Article 184(3) was of civil nature. He inquired about nexus between two offshore companies and Nawaz Sharif, through documental evidence.
Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 21 2022
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