Friday, March 29, 2024

SC fixes date for hearing of NAB’s appeal against Avenfield verdict

SC fixes date for hearing of NAB’s appeal against Avenfield verdict
January 10, 2019
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed the date of hearing for the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) appeal against suspension of Sharif family’s sentence in the Avenfield reference case. According to the details, a five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar will hear the appeal on January 14. The bench comprising of Justice Asif Saeed, Justice Gulzan Ahmad, Justice Masheer Alam and Justice Mazhar Alam will hear the NAB’s appeal.

NAB challenges IHC verdict

The NAB filed a petition against Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict in the Avenfield case suspending sentences of Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband capt (retd) Safdar, on Wednesday. A special bench has been formed to hear the appeal of the National Accountability Bureau. The Supreme Court Registrar Office issued notices to Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and the NAB prosecutor in the appeal against suspension of their sentences by the Islamabad High Court in the Avenfield reference.

IHC’s detailed verdict to suspend sentences of Shairf family

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a detailed verdict to suspend the sentences of Sharif family including 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. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar were released from Adiala jail after the Islamabad High Court suspended their respective sentences in the Avenfield corruption reference.
 Sharif family sentenced in Avenfield verdict
On July 6, Accountability Court Judge Bashir Ahmed sentenced Nawaz Sharif to 10 years and Maryam Nawaz seven-year jail term in the Avenfield reference case. The court also fined Nawaz Sharif eight million pounds and Maryam Nawaz two million pounds. Captain (retd) Safdar has been sentenced one year for abetting the crime. Meanwhile, perpetual warrants of Nawaz Sharif’s sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz have been issued. Maryam Nawaz and Captain (retd) Safdar have been disqualified from contesting the elections. Nawaz Sharif has been sentenced under section 9 A of the NAB Ordinance, while Maryam has been convicted under section 9A(12) for abetting the crime.
Avenfield case History
As per Avenfield Properties reference, Sharif, his brood and his son-in-law had purchased four flats in Park Lane, UK, without legitimate financial means. However, the former premier and his family members have consistently claimed that the apartments were purchased with legal means. Sharif returned from Britain on July 13 after an anti-corruption court handed him a 10-year jail term and sentenced his daughter and political heir to seven years in prison over the purchase of luxury flats in London in the 1990s. In 2016, Nawaz’s name was disclosed in Panama Papers, followed by formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) on the SC orders to probe into the accusations. In July 2017, the JIT report revealed sufficient evidence against Nawaz, and subsequently he was disqualified from being a member of the parliament. Meanwhile, the top court had also directed the NAB to file references against the Sharif family and wrap up the case within six months.