Nawaz says nothing extraordinary about Saudi Arabia visit

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that there was nothing extraordinary about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to reporters after attending corruption proceedings against him at the accountability court, Nawaz expressed disappointment at rumours that his visit to Saudi Arabia was to seek safe passage from his present situation.

The PML-N leader’s political opponents had alleged that he along with brother Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif were in Saudi Arabia seeking a new National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

"Spreading such rumours was unfair on Saudi Arabia," said Nawaz, adding that Saudi-Pakistan relations are historic and solid.

‘Imran accepted his crime, I did not commit any’

Nawaz also lamented the judiciary's favourable treatment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, referring to his recent 'clearance' by the Supreme Court in the disqualification case against him as well his bail in the anti-terrorism cases against him.

Talking about his corruption case, Nawaz wondered what [charge of] misappropriation exists [against him] which has not been discovered yet. "I was disqualified on Iqama yet Imran’s apology accepted," he asserted.

Addressing Imran, Nawaz said: "You have accepted wrongdoing by using the amnesty scheme to declare assets whose sources are unexplained".

The former premier lamented that Imran confessed to his crime yet was declared honest and truthful.

He added that until today no charge has been levelled against him let alone proved against him.

Corruption references 

Earlier today, Nawaz, his daughter Maryam, and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar attended the hearing into the three references filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 judgment in the Panama Papers case.

The three references pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London's Avenfield properties.

Nawaz and his family members reached the court complex early morning to be present at the hearing, which was conducted by Accountability Court-I Judge Mohammad Bashir.

Three prosecution witnesses recorded their statement