LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday has pasted summon notices for Hasan and Hussain Nawaz on the central gate of Sharif family’s residences at Jati Umra and Model Town.
The move came after Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal assumed charge as NAB chief earlier today.
The action was prompted by the anti-graft watchdog under the accountability court’s initiative to declare the duo as proclaimed offenders after persistently evading the court proceedings, sources privy to NAB said.
According to the notices, obtained by ARY News, both respondents have been granted 30-day time to appear before the court in a graft references filed by the NAB.
In case of any apathetic attitude towards the court notices, the subpoenas will be published in the newspapers to ensure their appearance before the court. Failure to do so will result in confiscation of property and issuance of further warrants.
Earlier, Hasan Nawaz in apparent self-defence adopted a stance over the court’s ruling that he was a foreign national and NAB orders did not apply on him.
“I and my [elder] brother are foreign national, how can NAB laws could be applied on us. NAB cannot make someone a proclaimed offender, its like catching a black cat in the dark,” he told journalists in London.
He had also claimed of not receiving summons from the anti-graft watchdog at his London residence.
Similar sentiments were also echoed by the former premier’s daughter, stating that her brothers were foreign nationals and Pakistani laws could not be implemented on them.
On the flip side, many PML-N leaders have termed NAB’s actions as political victimisation against former PM Sharif and his family members.
Court declares Hasan, Hussain fugitive
On Monday, an accountability court declared ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s sons – Hussain and Hasan – absconders over their perpetual absence from proceedings.
Judge Muhammad Bashir granted the request of the NAB prosecutor who asked him to initiate proceedings to declare the absconding accused proclaimed offenders and order attachment of their properties.
The prosecutor said Hussain and Hassan have failed to appear before the court despite issuance of non-bailable warrants for their arrest.
