Four corruption references lodged against him and his children as well as a close aide

Pakistan’s top anti-corruption body National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed four corruption references against ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children and a close aide in an accountability court in Islamabad.

The cases were filed in line with the Supreme Court judgment that disqualified the former Premier from politics for life in July.

‘Not honest or truthful’

Mr. Sharif had resigned following the apex court judgment but has also filed a review petition against the judgment. No date has been set by the court to hear the appeal. The Supreme Court in a 5-0 unanimous judgment declared that Sharif was found to be neither honest nor truthful.

Mr. Sharif and his children were accused of concealing assets from the tax authorities that primarily include four expensive flats in London. The flats were disclosed in Panama Papers that were released last year. Mr. Sharif denied the ownership of the flats but admitted that they belong to his son Hussain Nawaz who has a business in the United Kingdom. But Mr. Sharif was dismissed for not disclosing ownership of a Dubai based company FZE Capital in his tax returns. He claimed he was only holding the post on voluntary basis and did not draw any salary from the business.

After the embarrassing dismissal, Mr. Sharif returned to his home town in a caravan while holding rallies crying foul. He told his party Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) followers that he was disqualified by the judiciary on petty grounds.

Kulsoom treated for cancer

Mr. Sharif’s wife Kulsoom will be contesting on his seat of the parliament on by-elections scheduled for September 17. The couple are currently in London where Ms. Kulsoom is being treated for cancer.

A NAB spokesman Nawazish confirmed that four references have been filed in the accountability court of capital Islamabad. The court is expected to announce the hearing date next week.

The cases filed against Mr. Sharif and his children Hussain, Hassan, Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (r) Safdar, alleged that they have failed to provide the money trail to the ownership of the London flats.

Before filing of the cases, NAB had sent three notices to the Sharif family to appear before the anti-corruption authority to explain their position but Sharifs declined to appear citing their pending appeal in the Supreme Court as the reason.

If convicted, Sharifs can face up to seven years in jail and heavy fine.