Defence lawyers relent, meet Sharif

Sharif’s defence team refused to appear before the court on Monday after one of the leading members of the defence team, Iqbal Raad, was gunned down in his office in the city last week.

Instead, they asked the court to shift the trial to Islamabad or Lahore. They agreed to return to the case only after promises of security by the government and pleading by Sharif.

"We are satisfied with the security measures. Rather, they are doing too much. So I have told the authorities to normalise it. I have made some suggestions in addition to their security measures which they have agreed to," Sultan said.

"Now we will be staying in Karachi until the case finishes, in official accommodation," Sultan said. "We have come back but the risk is still there. I will avoid showing my face in public. We are prepared with our arguments as we just want to finish the case," he said.

Chief public prosecutor, Raja Qureshi, said the accommodation on offer includes the state guest house in Karachi, which is used for visiting officials.

The trial will resume on Monday when the prosecution begins its closing arguments. Sharif, his brother Shahbaz and five other officials have been charged with hijacking, abduction, attempted murder and terrorism in a case based on the night of the country’s military coup in October. All the accused have pleaded not guilty but face the death penalty if convicted.

"Sharif is not worried. He is quite hopeful that he will get justice and he is satisfied with the conduct of the trial," Sultan said.