The Federal Judicial Complex where the accountability court is located. Photo: File 

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived at the accountability court hearing corruption cases against him and his family. 

The accountability court will hear the Avenfield properties reference against Nawaz, daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar today. 

During today's hearing, former Panama case joint investigation team (JIT) head Wajid Zia recorded his statement. He will continue recording his statement today. 

At the last hearing of the reference on March 8, the court had rejected Zia's request to make the entire JIT report part of the case and directed him to record his statement regarding material related to the Avenfield properties only. 

Court rejects Wajid Zia's plea to make entire JIT report part of Avenfield case

Earlier today, former PM Nawaz, daughter Maryam were granted exemption from appearing in today's hearing

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed three interim corruption references against the Sharif family in September last year in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case. The bureau recently filed supplementary references in all three cases as well. 

The cases

The trial against the Sharif family had commenced on September 14, 2017.

The corruption references, filed against the Sharif family, pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London.

Nawaz and sons Hussain and Hasan are accused in all three references whereas his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar are accused in the Avenfield reference only.

The two brothers, based abroad, have been absconding since the proceedings began last year and were declared proclaimed offenders by the court.