Khawaja Harris withdraws from representing Nawaz in NAB references
Khawaja Harris said that the court did not accept his stance.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – In a surprising move, defence lawyer Khawaja Harris on Monday has excused himself from representing ex-prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references.
Khawaja Harris said that the Supreme Court did not accept his stance of completing the trial in six weeks. I was being dictated even after judicial hours, he added.
He also expressed reservations over holding court proceedings on Saturdays and Sundays, saying that he cannot work under such circumstances.
Afterwards, Nawaz Sharif has been directed to hire another lawyer till June 12.
It is to be mentioned here that Khawaja Harris was representing Nawaz Sharif in references pertaining to Al-Azizia Steel Mills, Flagship Investment Ltd and Avenfield properties. The hearings of these cases have entered final phase as all the witnesses have recorded their statements.
Earlier, Supreme Court (SC) had granted one-month extension to accountability court for the hearing of NAB references against Sharif family.
The petitioner said that concluding remarks are underway in Avenfield reference, Wajid Zia is being prosecuted in Al Azizia reference while the statement of investigation officer is yet to be recorded.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar had directed NAB court judge Justice Mohammad Bashir to complete the hearing as early as possible as the accused and the people are in immense tension.
He had also allowed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz to meet Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, who is undergoing a treatment for cancer in London.
