Justice Mohammad Bashir, the accountability court judge who sentenced Nawaz Sharif and others in the Avenfield properties reference, has recused himself from hearing the other two corruption references against the former premier and his family, sources.
Sources informed that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had received a letter from the judge recusing himself from hearing Al-Azizia and Flagship references against Nawaz Sharif and his family.
They said that Justice Bashir, in his letter, requested for transfer of cases to another court.
According to sources, he stated that he had announced the verdict of Avenfield properties case and could not hear Al-Azizia and Flagship references. Justice Bashir further stated that if required, then he could also be transferred.
The accountability court judge noted that Nawaz's counsel had also objected to him hearing the other two cases, they said.
The sources further said the letter was written to the Chief Justice IHC Anwar Kasi two days ago, who is on a leave.
Nawaz was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) while Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million). Moreover, Maryam's husband, Capt (retd) Safdar, was sentenced to one year in prison.
