In a short order read out by Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC, the court rejected Nawaz’s plea seeking a joint trial in three references pertaining to the Avenfield properties, Flagship Investments and Al-Azizia Steel Mills. When the hearing resumed in the afternoon, Nawaz and his daughter Maryam Nawaz filed applications seeking a change in dates already approved by the court for exemption from personal appearances. The court accepted Nawaz’s plea, however Judge Mohammad Bashir dismissed Maryam’s request, stating that the court’s earlier ruling on the matter will prevail. On Nov 24, the high court had reserved its judgement on the petition seeking clubbing of the references filed against the former premier and his close relatives. Nawaz’s lawyer had argued before a two-member bench of the high court that similarities had been noted between the references and sought the consolidation of at least two references ─ Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investment references.

Source: Pakistan Today December 04, 2017 03:59 UTC