Lawyers set to build Sharif's defence

Lawyers set to build Sharif's defence
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD, FEBRUARY 23: The prosecution concluded its case in the trial of deposed Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday after calling 27 witnesses, thus paving the way for the defence to commence its work within the next few days.

"We are satisfied that we have presented ample evidence to prove our case," said Attorney General Raja Qureshi. Sharif and his six co-accused are on trial charged with terrorism, kidnapping and attempted murder. All four charges carry either the death penalty or life in prison.

Qureshi asked the anti-terrorist court to have the accused give their testimony in camera saying the prosecution fears the men will betray state secrets "and harm the security and integrity of the country."

There are predictions that the former prime minister will make some important disclosures in his testimony and will also give statements that may rouse passions out of the court room.

The judge is to announce his decision on Thursday before the defense launches into its case.

Lawyers for Sharif and his co-accused strongly opposed an in-camera session. One of Sharif's lawyers, Khawaja Sultan said, "It is against the fundamental rights of the accused and is tantamount to suppressing their defense."

According to the testimony of prosecution witnesses, that included the pilot of the aircraft, air traffic control officials and aides of Sharif's, the aircraft was ordered to divert to a country in the Middle East.

The order was issued after Sharif dismissed Musharraf and appointed another army general as army chief of staff. The orders dismissing Musharraf were issued while the army chief was en route to Pakistan from Sri Lanka.

The pilot of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane with 200 passengers and crew aboard testified that he was unable to divert to the Middle East because of lack of fuel. The aircraft circled over Karachi seeking permission to land because it was running out of fuel. When the aircraft landed it apparently had only seven minutes of fuel remaining.

Sharif and his co-accused have pleaded not guilty. Sultan said that the defense "will argue that it was the army that illegally staged a coup and that the army too power unconstitutionally."