Court to record Sharifs’ statement in Avenfield case on Friday

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday decided to record statements of former premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Captain Safdar in the Avenfield case on Friday.

Judge Muhammad Bashir will record statements of the accused under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), affording them a chance to defend themselves before he gives the final ruling in the case.

The judge a day earlier allowed a request by the prosecution to initiate the process of recording statements of the accused as all witnesses have already recorded their testimonies and also been cross-examined by the defence side.

He ordered for preparing questionnares, which will be handed over to the accused as advance intimation for their statement under Section 342 CrPC.

Khawaja Haris, the counsel for Sharif, cross-examined today star prosecution witness Wajid Zia, head of the Panama Joint Investigation Team, in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills/Hill Metal Establishment reference.

He will continue cross-examining the witness on next hearing on Monday.

Mr. Sharif along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz appeared before the court to stand trial.