IHC adjourns hearing on pleas against Sharif family's sentences in Panama case
IHC adjourns hearing on pleas against Sharif family's sentences in Panama case
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday has adjourned the hearing on pleas submitted against the sentences of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain (r) Safdar in Panama reference till June 23.
During the proceedings, counsel Azam Nazir Tarar has sought more judicial assistance which was accepted by the court.
Later, while talking to media, Maryam Nawaz said that there are no differences in opposition parties’ alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
The PML-N leader said that all the parties under PDM are having one ideology. However, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is no more part of the alliance, therefore, no discussion should be carried out on this matter, she told.
Maryam Nawaz further said that those who have facilitated Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will also face the consequences.
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.”
