Nawaz Sharif arrives at accountability court/Geo News screengrab 

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, appeared before the accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The accountability court has been conducting proceedings of three references filed against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the light of the Supreme Court's July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.

The references pertain to Al-Azizia Steel Mills, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties allegedly owned by the Sharifs.

The former premier is accused in all three references ? Al Azizia, Avenfield and Flagship Investment ? whereas his daughter Maryam and Safdar are accused in only one: Avenfield (London flats).

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This is Nawaz's 10th appearance before the accountability court.

The court has so far held 16 hearings each of Flagship Investment and their Avenfield properties references, and 20 of Al-Aziza Steel Mills. So far, eight witnesses have recorded their statement on behalf of the prosecution, whereas the court has summoned two more witnesses to record their testimonies during Tuesday's hearing.

It has been learnt that witnesses, Yasir Bashir and Shakil Anjum Nagra, will record their statements in Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield properties references.

Nawaz, along with daughter Maryam, left his Jati Umrah residence for Islamabad early Tuesday. The former premier and his daughter reached the capital through a special plane.

Nawaz welcomed upon arrival in Islamabad/Geo News screengrab 

It has been further learnt that Nawaz will hold consultation with members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the Punjab House, Islamabad.

The last hearing of the case was conducted on December 11, during which a witness recorded his statement while another was cross-examined in the corruption references against the Sharif family.

The references

The NAB has in total filed three references against the Sharif family and another against the then-Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the accountability court, in light of the Supreme Court's orders in the Panama Papers case verdict of July 28.

The anti-graft body was given six weeks, from the date of the apex court's order, to file the reference in an accountability court while the accountability court was granted six months to wrap up the proceedings.

Witnesses cross-examined, record statement in Sharif family corruption references

Former PM Nawaz Sharif is accused in three corruption cases; daughter Maryam and son-in-law Safdar in one

The references against the Sharif family pertain to the Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, their London properties, and over dozen offshore companies allegedly owned by the family.

Maryam and Safdar are only nominated in the London properties reference. At an earlier hearing, the court also approved Maryam and Safdar's bail in the Avenfield properties case and ordered them to submit surety bonds worth Rs5 million each.

Safdar was also directed to take the court's permission before leaving the country from now on. The judge also provided a copy of the reference ? spread over 53 volumes ? to Maryam and Safdar.

NAB's Rawalpindi branch prepared two references regarding the Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, and the nearly dozen companies owned by the Sharif family.

Its Lahore branch prepared a reference on the Sharif family's Avenfield apartments in London and another against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for owning assets beyond his known sources of income.

If convicted, the accused may face up to 14 years imprisonment and lifelong disqualification from holding public office including the freezing of bank accounts and assets.  

NAB team tasked with collecting evidence of Sharif family properties returns from London 

The NAB team tasked with collecting evidence of properties belonging to the Sharif family returned to Pakistan from London earlier today.

Sources said the team failed to make any headway during the visit.