The accountability court of Islamabad has accepted the application for recording PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s statement in the Toshakhana reference.

The court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to record Nawaz’s statement in the case by November 30 and adjourned the proceedings till then.

Judge Muhammad Bashir of the accountability court held proceedings on the Toshakhana reference against Nawaz Sharif and others.

On behalf of the former premier, Rana Irfan appeared in court as the pleader, while his lawyer Qazi Misbahul Hassan was also present.

At the outset of the proceedings, the court marked the attendance of the suspects.

The lawyer said a defence statement is left, and the NAB should be ordered to record the statement.

A supplementary reference will have to be filed, as the present reference was filed in absentia, the defence lawyer said.

The NAB prosecutor sought time to read the application.

The court asked what the problem was in this case, and directed the NAB to call Nawaz Sharif and record his statement.

The prosecutor said the statement has to be recorded by an investigating officer, adding that the bureau had no objection to the officer recording the statement.

The defence lawyer said the NAB could give them a questionnaire, and they would submit written answers. Misbahul Hasan also asked the court to set an early date for the case.

At the previous hearing, Nawaz Sharif had surrendered before the court after four years. The accountability court had accepted his bail application in THE reference against bail bongs of Rs1 million.

Former president Asif Zardari, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Anwar Majeed are also nominated in the reference.