ISLAMABAD, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared in an anti-corruption court in Islamabad as the court formally started hearing of cases against him, lawyers said.
The Accountability Court is expected to formally indict the former prime minister on Oct. 2 in three corruption cases.
The Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif in July for holding any public office and mandated the anti-corruption courts to initiate cases against him and his children.
The apex court had stated that the ousted prime minister had been dishonest in concealing his earnings from a UAE-based company in his nomination papers during the 2013 parliamentary elections.
The Accountability Court allowed Nawaz Sharif to go after his brief appearance, his lawyer Khawaja Hasris said. His sons Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and daughter Maryam Nawaz could not appear before the judge and their lawyers said they are in London to look after their ailing mother.
The court also issued bailable arrest warrants for Sharif's children, lawyers said.
The ousted prime minister's lawyer sought exemption from personal appearance of his client; however, the court opposed the plea.
Nawaz Sharif's political adviser Asif Kirmani said the former prime minister showed respect for the courts and personally appeared before the court. He said Nawaz Sharif will hold consultations with senior party leaders later on Tuesday and will brief the media.
Nawaz Sharif has denied involvement in corruption and said he will face courts to prove his innocence.
