
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.
8220;I am not participating in the proceedings and my lawyers have boycotted the court,8221; Sharif said, rejecting the jurisdiction of the court and accountability law promulgated by the military regime.
8220;I am surprised why are you in so much hurry. I have filed a petition against nab ordinance,8221; he said.
The former premier said his government was abducted on gun-point and he was put behind bars.
8220;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,8221; 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.
8220;The new reference is in the final stages,8221; 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.