Court exempts Maryam, Nawaz Sharif from appearance

LAHORE: An accountability court on Friday granted exemption to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz from appearing before the court in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills alleged money laundering case till the filing of a reference.

The court also granted exemption to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is a co-accused in the case, for four weeks. Maryam appeared before the court amid tight security as heavy contingents of law-enforcement agencies had cordoned off the court premises.

As the hearing commenced, the counsel of the Nawaz family submitted anapplication before the court, seeking exemption for his clients from personal appearance. He implored the court to grant exemption to Nawaz and Maryam till the filing of the reference.

On the other end, the NAB prosecutor argued that it is mandatory for the accused to appear before the court. To which the judge asked him when the bureau is going to file the reference. The NAB prosecutor replied that investigations are under way and as they get completed, the reference will be filed.

The court, after hearing arguments of both the parties, granted exemptions to Nawaz and Maryam. The court also extended the judicial remand of Maryam’s cousin Yousaf Abbas by December 6.

Maryam Nawaz did not talk to the media and left the court room accompanied by her husband Captain (retd) Safdar.