IHC adjourns hearing on pleas against Maryam Nawaz's sentence in Avenfield reference
IHC adjourns hearing on pleas against Maryam Nawaz's sentence in Avenfield reference
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday has conducted hearing on pleas against sentences of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (r) Safdar in Avenfield reference.
During the proceedings, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has requested the court to issue permanent arrest warrant of PML-N supremo and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, the high court has remarked to Maryam’s counsel, “File a plea seeking his client’s exemption from the hearing due to coronavirus and we will accept it.”
Subsequently, the hearing has been adjourned for one month.
Trial History
An accountability court on July 06, 2018 jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar for 10, 7 and 1 year respectively, in Avenfield properties reference case filed by the National Accountability Bureau.
NAB prosecutor had argued law turns onus of proof on accused after ownership of flats [by Sharifs] has been established. He said, “The agreement of money transfer turned out to be fake. Likewise, the deed declaring Maryam Nawaz trustee was also proved fake. She possesses assets beyond her declared source of income.”
NAB prosecutor further added Sharifs had not registered ‘Calibri font’ trust deed in UK. He said, “Maryam Nawaz crafted this trust deed and declared his brother beneficial owner.”
Maryam Nawaz and Captain (r) Safdar, who were candidates for the general elections 2018, were also disqualified from contesting elections for 10 years each.
The sentence and a fine of 8 million pounds, or $10.6 million, came almost a year after Supreme Court removed Sharif from office and less than five months after the court barred him from holding office for life.
The IHC had suspended sentences of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain (r) Safdar in the Avenfield reference.
Justice Athar Minallah, while announcing the verdict, had directed to release ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r) Safdar over surety bonds worth Rs0.5 million each.
An accountability court had also handed Nawaz Sharif sentence in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, and acquitted him in a second reference related to Flagship Investments.
In the Flagship reference, NAB had claimed that Sharif and his sons set up Flagship Investment Limited and 15 other companies and used these companies “to manage/acquire expensive properties/any movement of funds to hide the real sources of funds.”
