Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children on Sunday failed to appear again before the top anti corruption body of the country in preliminary investigations into the expensive London flats in possession of Sharif's son.
A National Accountability Bureau team stationed in Lahore had summoned Nawaz Sharif, his sons Hassan and Hussain, daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain retired Safdar. But none of them appeared before the probe team.
Mr. Sharif skipped another probe session earlier on Friday, fueling speculations that he may get arrested if he refuse to appear before anti-corruption authorities.
An NAB official said that it will inform the Supreme Court about Mr. Sharif's non-appearance before the probe team. A Supreme Court judge will hold a hearing next week on 24th August to examine the progress made in the investigations into Mr. Sharifs assets.
Nawaz Sharif was ousted as prime minister last month and disqualified for future politics by a five member Supreme Court bench. The court also ordered NAB to hold investigations regarding the assets of Sharifs.
Mr, Sharif, who reached his hometown Lahore after holding rallies through central Punjab province, had asked supporters to back him for a dialogue and constitutional amendments to restore the sanctity of voters.
PTI adds...
Mr. Sharif, in a letter to NAB, has said he would join its investigation after a decision by the Supreme Court on his review petition against its July 28 verdict to disqualify him from premiership.
“My family members and I will join the NAB investigation once the Supreme Court decides my review petition against my disqualification,” Sharif had said in the letter.
On July 28, a five-member Supreme Court bench disqualified Sharif from continuing in his office for possessing a work permit at the firm of his son in the UAE.
Mr. Sharif has also sought a stay from the Supreme Court on the further implementation of the judgement till a decision on the review petition is taken.
The apex court is likely to take up Mr. Sharif’s review petition early next month after the judges vacation.
According to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted by Supreme Court to investigate the off-shore properties of the Sharif family, Maryam was found to be the beneficial owner of Avenfield Properties as well as offshore companies of Nescoll & Nielsen.
The JIT report has also charged Maryam for submitting fake/falsified documents to it which is a criminal offence.
“Maryam Safdar has submitted fake/falsified documents to the JIT which is a criminal offence. These documents are decoys to manipulate facts and camouflage truth,” says the conclusion of the findings of the JIT report.
