NAB submits reply on new plea seeking Maryam's acquittal in Avenfield reference
Pakistan
Maryam Nawaz's father Nawaz Sharif and her brothers Hassan and Hussain are fugitive: NAB
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday has responded to the new plea seeking acquittal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz in Avenfield reference.
The anti-graft watchdog, in its reply, has rejected the allegations of doing political engineering on Maryam Nawaz’s sentence, adding that she and her father Nawaz Sharif have not yet submitted money trail of their London flats.
Maryam Nawaz’s father Nawaz Sharif and her brothers Hassan and Hussain are fugitive. The decision of Avenfield reference was announced by Judge Mohammad Bashir and Judge Arshad Malik had nothing to do with it, the NAB stated.
The bureau further termed the statement and video of Judge Arshad Malik as false and contradictory to the facts. It also appealed to launch contempt of court proceedings against the petitioners for leveling accusations in new plea.
The anti-corruption watchdog has further requested the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to impose fine on Maryam Nawaz.
Trial History
An accountability court on July 06, 2018 had sentenced former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar for 10, 7 and 1 year in jail respectively, in Avenfield properties reference case filed by the NAB.
NAB’s prosecutor had argued law turned onus of proof on accused after ownership of flats [by Sharifs] was 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.
