ISLAMABAD: The accountability court has resumed hearing the Avenfield reference against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family today (Tuesday).

The former premier reached the accountability court earlier with his family.

Accountability Judge Muhammad Basheer will conduct the proceedings of the reference in which Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar have been indicted. 

Federal Investigation Agency Additional Director Wajid Zia, who headed the Panama case investigation team which probed the Sharif family's assets, will resume recording his statement in the case today. 

During the last hearing, the accountability court had dismissed pleas of Nawaz and Maryam seeking a brief exemption from appearance.

Appearing in court for the Avenfield properties case hearing, Nawaz and daughter Maryam submitted the request seeking exemption from appearing in court for a week starting March 26.

A medical report of Nawaz's wife, Kulsoom, was attached along with the request. Kulsoom has been in London undergoing treatment for lymphoma since late last year.

Nawaz's counsel Khawaja Haris informed the judge that Kulsoom will be undergoing chemotherapy and her doctors have advised Nawaz's presence beside his wife. The request stated that Ali Aimal and Jahangir Jadoon will appear in place of Nawaz and Maryam respectively.

Opposing the request, prosecutor Afzal Qureshi argued that the suspects should not be allowed to leave the country as the trial is in its concluding stages.

The cases

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

Avenfield case: Nawaz's counsel seeks clarity on what Wajid Zia can say in court

Former PM, family face three corruption references filed by NAB in light of Supreme Court's verdict in Panama Papers case

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.