ISLAMABAD: The accountability court will resume hearing of corruption cases against Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law on Thursday (today), wherein the ousted premier is likely to be indicted despite absence.

The accused were set to be indicted on October 13, however, a commotion by members of the legal fraternity forced the accountability court judge to adjourn proceedings minutes after they began.

Later, the accountability court judge ordered the Islamabad inspector-general of police to investigate the incident. State Interior Minister Tallal Chaudhry, who was present at the court during, also took notice of the incident and ordered an inquiry.

Lawyers' commotion delays Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar's indictment until Oct 19

Maryam Nawaz and Capt (retd) Safdar were both in court today but the judge halted the proceedings after lawyers protested against police high-handedness

The accountability court is hearing a total of three corruption cases against the Sharif family filed by NAB in light of the Supreme Court's judgment in the Panama Papers case.

However, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif remains in London on account of his wife's ailment. The court is likely to indict him in absence, under clause 17 of the National Accountability Burau (NAB) law, Geo News has learnt.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar will only be indicted in a reference pertaining to the family's London properties.

The court has already set apart the case of Hasan and Hussain Nawaz, who were declared absconders during an earlier hearing.

A high-level meeting to ensure security during proceedings was also held, however, the authorities decided not to deploy Rangers. Police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) will discharge security duties during Thursday's hearing.

Moreover, special lists have been prepared to allow entry to lawyers and media persons in the courtroom.

The references

The NAB has in total filed three references against the Sharif family and one against 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.

Court approves Maryam, Safdar's bail; separates cases of Nawaz's sons

The hearing has been adjourned until Oct 13 when Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar are expected to be indicted

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.

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

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.