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Sharif slams judiciary, to be indicted in graft cases on Oct 2 (Second Lead)

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Islamabad, Sep 26 (IANS) Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday once again slammed the judiciary for rejecting his appeal against his disqualification from office and reaffirmed he would fight a legal battle to clear his name.

His comments came as an anti-corruption court announced that Sharif will be indicted on October 2 in three graft cases filed against him, Geo News reported.

Addressing a press conference here after making his first appearance before the accountability court to face corruption charges, Sharif claimed he was targetd in the so-called Panama Papers case. “I know for what reasons I am being punished,” he said.

Sharif returned to Pakistan from London on Monday where he travelled to see his ailing wife, Kulsoom, who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer in the British capital.

He claimed that “when they could not find proof (of his wrongdoing), they made a joint investigation team. The same courts and judges announced the decision and told NAB to open references.”

“Then the same court took control of NAB,” he said. “If necessary, this same court will listen to my last appeal as well.”

“Is this how justice works?” he asked. “Is this what we call the rule of law? Does Article 10 (of the Constitution) say this – is this what it means by a fair trial?”

“This is the first case that the weight of the law was placed with the petitioner, and the rights of the defence were not implemented,” he said.

The former premier said that he was ousted despite the failure of the prosecution to prove wrongdoing by him or his family. “No accusation was proved – they were not able to prove any corruption. But they had to disqualify me and so the iqama (his work permit with the UAE-based company) was used,” Sharif said.

Sharif was disqualified by the apex court on July 28 for not declaring income from his son’s company in the United Arab Emirates. He said at least the court should have told the people that no allegation of corruption had been proved against him.

“When legal experts themselves did not accept the decision, what could I do? These decisions were passed, punishments were given – but they were not accepted.”

Sharif said he would stay in Pakistan to face courts despite strong reservations. He also announced that he would wage a struggle for democracy and sanctity of vote.

“I am the victim of a case based on lies, and I am bearing the punishments for it. I have been fighting false cases and being punished but I have decided to fight the case of rights of people to rule…sanctity of vote. I believe people would win in the long run,” he said.

The National Accountability Board court also issued bailable arrest warrants for the ousted premier’s children Hassan, Hussain and Maryam Nawaz and his son-in-law Mohammad Safdar ahead of the indictment.

The bail amount was fixed at 1 million rupees ($9,490) for each.

Khawaja Haris, the lawyer of the Sharifs, argued that Sharif’s children could not appear before the court as they were in London with their mother. The Sharifs had been summoned before the court on September 15.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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