Islamabad: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s lead counsel Khawaja Haris has rejoined his legal team for the corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Sharif and his family.
Haris on Tuesday appeared in the accountability court and rejoined officially Nawaz’s defence team. This decision was welcomed by Justice Bashir and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors, the Dawn reported.
He submitted an application expressing certain reservations on the Supreme Court’s June 10 orders, which made him terminate his services.
Haris stated that he has been dealing with the Panama Papers case for several years now and did not want the case’s ground realities to be overlooked.
He said that the case is complicated and requires a lot of time and work. He also said he cannot pursue the case efficiently if hearings are scheduled on Saturdays.
The judge, after listening to Haris’ plea, assured him that it’s up to him on how to conduct and regulate the proceedings.
NAB prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi mentioned that the proceedings in references against the Sharif family are in process since past 10 months and the court had already sought extension thrice.
Nawaz and his family are facing three corruption cases, filed by NAB.
On June 11, Sharif’s lawyer Haris terminated his legal services to Nawaz and his family in corruption cases, citing an inability to appear before accountability court on weekends.
Haris also stated that the Supreme Court had ‘dictated on completing the trial within a month, which was not possible.’
The Supreme Court had earlier ordered that under Section 16 of the National Accountability Ordinance, a reference should be disposed off within 30 days.
It also asked to conduct hearings on a daily basis, including Saturdays if need be.
(ANI)