ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – The accountability court on Wednesday formally started trial process of members of Sharif family in three corruption cases.

Judge Mohammad Bashir resumed hearing of the case as former premier Nawaz Sharif daughter, Maryam Nawaz and his son-in-law, Captain (retd) Safdar has reached the court.

The court had also summoned two of prosecution witnesses named Sidra Mansoor of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Jahangir Ahmad of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to record their statements in three references.

However, Sidra Mansoor has recorded his statement before the court today. The witness informed the judge that she appeared before the NAB Lahore team on August 18 and furnished all required documents.

She further said that an audit report of Hudaibiya Paper Mills for the duration of 2000-2005 was submitted to the NAB.

The counsels of Nawaz and his children, Khawaja Harris and Amjad Pervez, raised objection that the witness submitted unverified documents.

On the other hand, Nawaz and Maryam has filed a plea seeking exemption from appearance for a week. Sharif said that he wanted to go to London to visit his ailing wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, who is London for cancer treatment.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has nominated Sharif and his sons – Hasan and Hussain Nawaz – in three references regarding Avenfield apartments, Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investment filed in the backdrop of the Panamagate verdict. The former premier’s daughter and son-in-law have been made respondent in Avenfield properties case.

Ahead of their appearance, strict security measures have been taken around the federal judicial complex. A heavy contingent, comprising police and FC troops have been deployed.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, including Khawaja Saad Rafique, Mariyyam Aurengzaib and others have reached the court.

On November 8, the court had formally indicted Sharif in three references as he was earlier indicted on October 19 and 20 in presence of his legal representative Zaafir Khan.

Maryam and Safdar had been indicted along with Sharif in a reference regarding the London properties on October 19.