ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Monday allowed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to record the statement of Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana reference as it was filed when the former prime minister was abroad.

Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir took up the application of Mr Sharif, filed through his counsel Misbah ul Hassan Qazi.

Mr Qazi argued that the Toshakhana reference was prepared and filed in the court in the absence of Mr Sharif and his statement was not recorded in which he could rebut allegations levelled against him.

He further told the court that the prosecution has to file a supplementary reference after recording the statement of Mr Sharif.

Reference prepared, filed in PML-N supremo’s absence; statement not recorded either, lawyer says

NAB’s prosecutor Sohail Arif perused the application and did not object to the plea of Mr Sharif.

Subsequently, the court asked the investigation officer to record the statement of Mr Sharif by Nov 30.

The case alleges that Mr Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani received luxury vehicles from Toshakhana.

In June 2020, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Mr Sharif who had already left for the UK. On Sept 10 that year, Mr Sharif was declared a proclaimed offender in the case and his properties were also attached subsequently to the reference.

The reference states that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif obtained cars from Toshakhana by paying 15 per cent prices of the cars.

NAB further alleged in the reference that former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani had facilitated the suspects by dishonestly and illegally relaxing the procedure for acceptance and disposal of gifts, issued by the government of Pakistan vide Cabinet Division’s Memorandum No.9/8/2004-TK dated June 25, 2007, which expressly stipulates that vehicles shall not be allowed to be purchased by the recipients and be given to the central pool of the Cabinet Division.

The NAB reference alleges that Nawaz Sharif did not hold any public office in the year 2008.

However, from April to December 2008, without giving any application or request to then prime minister Gillani, Mr Sharif dishonestly and illegally obtained the relaxation.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2023