Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam granted bail in NAB reference, says she's 'not afraid of arrests'

Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Shairif's daughter Maryam Nawaz, after appearing before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court on Monday, said that she was not afraid of getting arrested.

"We are not among those who worry about arrests," the Dawn quoted Maryam, as saying.

She arrived at the court accompanied by senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and ministers. Her husband Retired Captain Muhammad Safdar, who was arrested minutes after landing at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, was brought to the court later.

After hearing arguments from the prosecution, the court accepted the bail of both Maryam and her husband. The judge ordered the NAB authorities to release Capt. Safdar after he too submitted surety bonds worth Rs. 5 million.

Both Sharif's daughter and his son-in-law had arrived today from London for appearance in the court.

During the hearing, PML-N leader Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry submitted surety bonds worth 5 million Pakistani Rupees on behalf of Maryam.

Meanwhile, the NAB prosecution asked the court to issue arrest warrants for Nawaz Sharif, who they said had left for London, despite being a primary accused, without informing the NAB authorities.

Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir reserved his decision on this matter.

The court also issued perpetual warrants for the arrest of Nawaz Sharif's two sons, and separated their trial from other members of the family.

When Maryam was asked when her brothers, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, would appear before the court, she said, "My brothers live abroad... the laws of here [Pakistan] don't apply to them."

The hearing was adjourned until October 13, when members of the Sharif family will be indicted.

On 2 October, Sharif's indictment on charges of corruption was deferred by a NAB court till 9 October.

The accountability court, which was hearing three corruption references against former Sharif and his family, also issued non-bailable arrest warrants against his children and son-in-law.

Sharif, his children - Hussain, Hassan, and Maryam, and her husband Captain Safdar are expected to appear in court on 9 October and be indicted in the corruption cases.

On 3 October, Sharif was re-elected as president of the ruling PML-N. 

-ANI