Avenfield properties reference: Panamagate JIT head Wajid Zia records statement

Avenfield properties reference: Panamagate JIT head Wajid Zia records statement

Islamabad (Staff Report): Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Wajid Zia on Friday resumed recording his statement in the Avenfield properties reference against Sharif family.

As proceedings began, Zia resumed recording his statement presented several documents related to the Avenfield case from the JIT report.

Maryam's counsel Amjad Pervez and Nawaz's counsel Khawaja Haris questioned the legality of the evidence being presented and objected that they are copies of photocopies and unverified documents.

Moreover, the court accepted the land registry of Nielsen and Nescoll company.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case until March 20.

Ousted premier Nawaz Sharif along with daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar were present in the court as Judge Mohammad Bashir took up the case regarding Avenfield properties. This was the first time the former premier remained in court as Zia recorded his statement.

On Thursday, the accountability court partially accepted a plea filed by Maryam Nawaz against submission of entire JIT report in the Avenfield case.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed three interim corruption references regarding London properties, Al-Azizia Steel Mills, Flagship Investment and other offshore companies against former prime minister, his children – Hasan, Hussain and Maryam Nawaz – and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar in light of the Supreme Court’s July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.

The anti-graft watchdog recently filed supplementary references in all three cases – Avenfiled properties, Al-Azizia Steel Mills, Flagship Investment and other offshore companies.