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Sharif indicted in third corruption case
Islamabad, Oct 20 (IANS) An anti-corruption court on Friday indicted ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a third graft case related to Flagship Investments and other offshore companies.
The National Accountability Court charged Sharif in absentia for holding assets beyond his known sources of income and read out a chargesheet to his representative Zafir Khan.
Khan pleaded not guilty on behalf of Sharif, who is currently in London tending to his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz undergoing cancer treatment. Sharif’s sons Hussain and Hassan were declared absconders for their absence from the court hearings, Dawn online reported.
It was one of the three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif registered by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on September 8 in the light of Supreme Court orders in the Panama Papers case.
The apex court had disqualified Sharif from holding office on July 28. He will be returning to Pakistan on October 22 and vowed to contest the charges levelled against him.
On Thursday, the former Premier was indicted in the Azizia Steel Mills as well as in the Avenfield properties cases while charges against his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain Mohammad Safdar were framed in the Avenfield case.
Sharif has now been charged in all the three corruption cases filed against him. Hassan and Hussain were named co-accused in all the three cases but their trial would be held separately.
The Sharif family pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming that they were denied the fundamental right to a fair trial.
According to Sharif, the apex court’s directions to conclude the trial within six months and the appointment of a monitoring judge to supervise the trial was against constitutional provisions that ensured the dignity of citizens and the right to fair and transparent proceedings.
Maryam Nawaz said that “the allegations against her were based on a frivolous report, prepared by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) with mala fide intentions”, adding that the report itself was a “mockery of justice”.
“We have been denied the right to a fair trial, which is a fundamental right for every citizen and the former Prime Minister and his family are not exceptions.”
The court adjourned the hearing of the Avenfield properties and Azizia Steel Mills references until October 26 and directed the prosecution to produce its first witness at the next hearing.
The former Prime Minister had earlier filed a petition in the apex court, challenging the filing of multiple graft cases against him by the country’s anti-corruption watchdog.
–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
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.