Former PM Nawaz Sharif (left) and Federal Privatisation Minister Daniya Aziz. Photo: Geo News  

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that the ongoing cases against him are part of a grand design. 

Talking to the media after appearing before the accountability court hearing the Avenfield properties reference against him and his family today, Nawaz said it has been six months since the corruption references were filed but charges have yet to be proved. 

"What charge is there against me," questioned Nawaz, adding that had there been any corruption evidence it would have been proved in two months but here they?ve gotten an extension now". He was referring to yesterday's decision of the Supreme Court to extend by two months the original six-month deadline of the corruption cases against him and his family. 

Referring to Avenfield supplementary reference witness Robert Radley, a forensic expert used by the Panama case joint investigation team (JIT) to build its case against Nawaz, Nawaz said "Radley?s statement [regarding the Calibri font] was in our favour. This shows that lies have no basis." 

Earlier, party leader and federal minister Daniyal Aziz spoke to the media and claimed that the JIT report misled the Supreme Court. 

'Personally want Raza Rabbani as Senate chairman'

When asked about the party's plans regarding the election of the Senate chairman, Nawaz said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and its allies consulted over the Senate chairman's post yesterday and all agreed on Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) Raza Rabbani, the incumbent chairman. 

Nawaz backs, Zardari rejects Rabbani as Senate chairman

Asif Ali Zardari has rejected Nawaz Sharif's proposal to back Raza Rabbani as Senate chairman

"It is also my personal wish to see Rabbani as Senate chairman," said Nawaz, explaining that the veteran PPP leader fills the criteria of who the party wants heading the Senate ? someone who is committed 100 per cent to the Constitution and doesn't have anti-democracy credentials.

"There is no point placing someone on the seat who is compromised," Nawaz explained further. 

When asked about PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari's refusal to appoint Rabbani, Nawaz said, "if his leadership doesn?t want to place him there then we?ll find someone like that in our own fold".