Sharif's lawyers to pull out of case

KARACHI, FEB. 28. The remaining lawyers representing the deposed Pakistani premier, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, at his trial said today that they would withdraw from the case in protest against the judge's ruling. The two senior defence lawyers representing Mr. Sharif stepped down from the case yesterday criticising a court order, which may impose a reporting ban when the former premier gives his evidence.

Four more lawyers said today they would pull out of the trial, leaving Mr. Sharif without any counsel in the case. Mr. Sharif, his brother Mr. Shahbaz and five other officials have been charged with hijacking, abduction, attempted murder and terrorism. All the accused have pleaded not guilty but could face death penalty if convicted.

``We have withdrawn from the case because we are helpless to defend our clients in such a situation,'' lawyer, Mr. Iqbal Radh, said. He said three colleagues, Mr. Salim Zia, Mr. Nihal Hashmi, and Mr. Khwaja Naveed, were also pulling out of the case. ``How can we defend our clients when their right of defence is snatched away?'' Mr. Radh said. Three lawyers representing the other accused remain on the defence team.

- AFP

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : 4 PoWs released
Next     : Mania for Hindi films in Myanmar