ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif failed to appear on Monday before an anti-graft tribunal where he was to be indicted on corruption charges along with several family members and co-defendants in the case.
Meanwhile, authorities arrested Sharif's son-in-law, also a co-defendant in the case. The son-in-law, Mohammad Safdar was taken into custody at the Islamabad airport after he and his wife, Maryam Nawaz, arrived from London, said Cabinet Minister Talal Chaudhry.
Amid tight security, police later brought Safdar before the anti-graft tribunal, called Accountability Court, where he appeared alongside his wife.
The corruption charges against Sharif, his two sons, daughter and son-in-law stem from an investigation into documents leaked from a Panama law firm that showed the Sharifs had undisclosed assets abroad.
Sharif is currently in London with his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, who is said to be recovering from throat cancer surgery.
The Supreme Court disqualified Sharif from office in July, forcing him to step down over corruption allegations and undisclosed assets. Sharif has denied any wrongdoing.
Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Haris on Monday requested that the judge exempt Sharif from appearing. The judge reserved his decision on the request but granted Sharif’s daughter and her husband bail. He also adjourned the case till Oct. 13. Sharif’s two sons, who also skipped out on Monday’s hearing, are also said to be in London with their ailing mother.
Sharif fails to appear in court
Sharif fails to appear in court
