Pak court to indict Sharif on October 2 in corruption cases

The court also issued fresh arrest warrants against his children and son-in-law.

Sharif, 67, appeared before the court located in the judicial complex here, a day after he returned from London where he was with his ailing wife.

During the brief hearing, Sharif informed accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir that his wife was unwell and he needed to attend her. He was then allowed to leave the court.

The court then adjourned for 10 minutes before continuing with the normal case proceedings.

The appearance was just a formality to ensure that the accused was ready to face the trial. Sharif stayed at the court for about 10 minutes.

He was accompanied by his lawyer Khawaja Harris who would represent him as a counsel in the corruption cases.

The court had last week summoned Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law capt (retd) Safdar to appear before it on September 26. It is pertinent to mention that the Sharif family had skipped a court hearing on September 19.

When the hearing started again, the judge asked about Maryam, Hussain and Hasan, and Sharif's son-in-law Safdar who were also ordered to appear on Tuesday.

Sharif's lawyer Harris contended that they were in London to take care of their ailing mother but the court rejected the argument and ordered them to appear before it on October 2.

The court also issued fresh bailable arrest warrants against Maryam, Hussain, Hasan and Safdar.

Harris asked the court that Sharif needed to take care of his wife in London so he would be allowed to skip personal appearance in the court.

The court refused by saying that he should first appear on the day of indictment and the issue of skipping personal appearance will be deiced later on. Sharif s legal aide Barrister Zafarullah Khan told media that the court should have given more time for indictment.

"The court cannot indict until all accused appear in the court. It should give us more time to prepare out case," he said. He said that Sharif would appear in the court if all went well during the period before next hearing and health of his wife remains stable.

Independent law expert Shehzad Akbar said that court was not bound to delay indictment of an accused if his accomplices are not present or refuse to appear before the court.