An Islamabad accountability court on Monday ordered the National Accountability Court to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to record his statement in the Toshakhana case.
The NAB was given till Nov 30 to record the previous premier’s statement.
The case alleges that Nawaz, former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani obtained luxurious autos and items from the Toshakhana — a authorities repository that shops items given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officers by heads of different governments, states, and international dignitaries.
In June 2020, an accountability court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the previous premier. Months later, Nawaz challenged the warrants in the Islamabad High Court however had withdrawn the petition days later.
On Sept 10, 2020, he was declared a proclaimed offender in the case, with an accountability court initiating the method to confiscate his properties and directing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to make his arrest via Interpol.
Last month, simply two days earlier than his return to Pakistan, the court suspended Nawaz’s perpetual arrest warrants.
At the earlier listening to, the court had confirmed the PML-N supremo’s bail in the case.
Today, pleader Rana Irfan and Nawaz’s lawyer Qazi Misbah appeared in court.
At the outset, Advocate Misbah urged the court to challenge instructions to the National Accountability Bureau on recording Nawaz’s statement.
“A supplementary reference wants to be filed … a reference was filed in the absence of Nawaz,” he stated, including that “we would like the NAB to record Nawaz’s place”.
Here, the NAB prosecutor sought time to undergo the petition. However, Judge Muhammad Bashir stated: “What is the issue? Call Nawaz Sharif and record his statement.”
In his response, the prosecutor stated solely the investigating officer may record the statement. At that, Advocate Misbah requested the previous for the questionnaire. “We will give the solutions,” Nawaz’s lawyer added.
The NAB prosecutor then stated there have been no objections to the PML-N supremo recording his statement earlier than the IO.
The listening to was then adjourned until Nov 30.
The case is said to receiving luxurious autos and items from the Toshakhana.
Established in 1974, Toshakhana is a division underneath the executive management of the Cabinet Division and shops treasured items given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officers by heads of different governments, states and international dignitaries as a goodwill gesture.
Under the principles, it’s obligatory that items of a sure worth are deposited in Toshakhana. However, an official can hold these items supplied he pays a sure proportion of the worth assessed by the Toshakhana analysis committee.
The reference states that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz obtained vehicles from Toshakhana by paying 15pc of the worth of the vehicles. NAB had additional alleged that former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani had facilitated the 2. He dishonestly and illegally relaxed the process for the acceptance and disposal of items, issued by the federal government of Pakistan vide Cabinet Division’s Memorandum No.9/8/2004-TK dated June 25, 2007, which expressly stipulates that autos shall not be allowed to be bought by the recipients and be given to the central pool of care of the Cabinet Division.
The NAB reference alleges that Nawaz didn’t maintain any public workplace in the yr 2008. However, from April to December 2008 with out giving any software or request to then prime minister Gillani, Nawaz dishonestly and illegally obtained rest for his advantages of process for the vide Cabinet Division’s above stated Memorandum which expressly stipulates that autos shall not be allowed to be bought by the recipients and be given to the central pool of vehicles of the Cabinet Division. “Nawaz Sharif knowingly and with dishonest intention obtained unlawful favour in connivance with the then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani by acquiring the relief of stated process for the acceptance and disposal of items,” the reference states.
