Sharif's act of defiance -- Refuses to record statement in copter case

Sharif's act of defiance -- Refuses to record statement in copter case
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

ISLAMABAD, JULY 18: Deposed Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif refused to record a statement in the helicopter case and accused the military regime of slapping trumped-up charges against him with the sole aim to keep him out of politics.

Challenging the jurisdiction of the accountability court, Sharif, who is serving life-imprisonment in hijacking and terrorism case, told the court in Attock, some 80 km from here, that no criminality was involved in the helicopter deal.

``I am not participating in the proceedings and my lawyers have boycotted the court,'' Sharif said, rejecting the jurisdiction of the court and accountability law promulgated by the military regime.

``I am surprised why are you in so much hurry. I have filed a petition against nab ordinance,'' he said.

The former premier said his government was abducted on gun-point and he was put behind bars.

``Generals came and asked me to sign a paper. Had I done that, I would have not been here. I have taken a stand on principles and I am suffering on the behalf of every Pakistani,'' he said.

Meanwhile, prosecutor-general National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Farooq Adam said in Attock that another case against Sharif would be filed in the coming days.

``The (new) reference is in the final stages,'' Adam told reporters without divulging the details of the case. This will be the third corruption charge against Sharif, who is already facing helicopter purchase case and Rawalpindi estate case.