NAB’s appeal fixed for hearing, notices issued to Nawaz, Maryam

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Wednesday issued notices to disqualified prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz on appeal the appeal of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) challenging suspension of jail terms. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar began heard the case pertaining to the NAB’s appeal seeking suspension of the Islamabad High Court’ verdict in Avenfield reference. The court issued notices to Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and the NAB. During the hearing, the CJ remarked that jail term of Capt (retd) Safdar is very low and therefore, notice would not be issued to him. The NAB prosecutor in attendance told the bench that the IHC order comprised of 43 pages. To this, the chief justice observed that the order should have taken 1.5-2 pages at the most. Ask anyone, if they have ever seen an order taking up as many as 43 pages, the top judge remarked. The bench then adjourned the hearing of the petition till November 6. On Monday, the anti graft watchdog had filed the petition in the apex court challenging an earlier decision by the Islamabad High Court suspending sentences given to Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar. Earlier yesterday, SC constituted three-member special bench to hear petition of NAB seeking reinstatement of prison term of Sharif family in Avenfield reference. In its plea challenging suspension of jail term of Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and political heir Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (r) Safdar, NAB states, “IHC had failed to appreciate that through its order, it had seriously prejudiced the case of the prosecution by holding that the trial court judgement suffered from obvious and glaring defects and infirmities and that the convictions and sentences handed down to the accused might not be sustained ultimately”. It prayed the apex court to restore the sentence of Sharif family in Avenfield reference.