Avenfield case: Accountability court summons Maryam Nawaz on July 19

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – An Accountability Court in Islamabad has summoned Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz in Avenfield reference on July 19 for submitting fake trust deed. Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir served notice to Maryam Nawaz over fake trust deed. The NAB had claimed that the trust deed submitted by Maryam Nawaz was forged, and requested the court to start trial against the PML-N leader. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CwONqx5zQY Earlier on Oct 3, 2018, the Islamabad High Court (IHC)  issued a detailed verdict to suspend the sentences of disqualified prime minister Nawaz Shairf, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r) Safdar in Avenfield reference.

The 41-page judgment on the IHC’s September 19 order has been written by Justice Athar Minallah. “In hindsight, the sentences awarded to the suspects cannot hold for a long time,” the judgment read.

“The accountability court which awarded the sentences did not state how or refer to evidence regarding how Maryam assisted Nawaz in the purchase of the Avenfield apartments,” it added. Further, the judgement stated, “The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) mostly relied on Panama Papers case to argue their points against suspension in sentences.” “Suspects were also indicted under NAB ordinance Section 9(a)(iv) but a trial court acquitted them under the same. However, the prosecution did not challenge the acquittal,” the judgment read. “Court findings are not final and our opinions or observations will not influence the appeals,” the bench further said in its judgment. On September 19, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb gave the judgment on petitions filed by Nawaz, Maryam and Capt (retd) Safdar challenging the Avenfield verdict against them.