NAB asks IHC to hear Maryam Nawaz appeals daily

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday requested that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) hold day-to-day hearings in the appeals filed by Maryam Nawaz, Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and her husband, Captain ® Muhammad Safdar, in connection with the Avenfield Property.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleged in a motion submitted with the court that the accused intentionally used delaying tactics on multiple occasions. For over a year, Maryam Nawaz’s attorney had made excuses to the court to keep the hearing from taking place. It requested that the court hold day-to-day hearings and reach a decision on the appeals within a month.

Two judges, Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani, were assigned to hear the appeals in the graft case before a division bench. Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz made her appearance in front of the court. Maryam Nawaz has recruited Irfan Qadir as her new attorney, according to PML-N leader Atta Tarar Advocate, who arrived at the court rostrum at the start of the session and told the judge.

On behalf of Maryam Nawaz, he requested that the court permit the new lawyer one month to complete the preparation of a plea on her behalf. Atta Tarar asserted that there had been no delay on their part, and that Amjad Pervaiz, the prior lawyer, had been unable to attend the hearing owing to sickness.

At this point, Justice Aamer Farooq expressed his displeasure with the request, stating that it gave the impression that you were engaging in delaying tactics. Irfan Qadir should have appeared personally to ensure that he was given enough time. Amjad Pervaiz, according to Justice Farooq, should have also appeared before the court with his medical certificate, which he did not.

The NAB prosecutor objected, stating that Amjad Pervaiz had not yet reclaimed his power of attorney, and that the accused’s new counsel was also not present at the hearing. Following this, the court continued the hearing of the case until October 6, and asked the appellants to produce their new counsel at the next scheduled hearing.

Published in Lahore Herald #MaryamNawazAppeals Published in Lahore Herald