In major relief, IHC acquits Nawaz Sharif in Avenfield reference

[MenInG]

An accountability court will announce its verdict today in the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) Flagship Investments and Al-Azizia Steel Mills references against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Accountability Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik had reserved judgement in both the references on Dec 19.

Nawaz arrived in Islamabad from Lahore on Sunday, a day ahead of the verdict. He is expected to hear the judgement in the courtroom today. Entry to the accountability court has been restricted. No one will be allowed to attend proceedings on Monday except those having permission of the registrar.

Security has been beefed up around the judicial complex, with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed around the building and along roads leading to the court.

Although Section 144 has been imposed in the capital, the Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations have decided that there will be no blockade at the entry points of the capital, and security officials will only ensure strict checking.

A long series of court cases in which the Sharif family have fought accusations of money laundering, tax evasion and hiding offshore assets will culminate in today's judgement.

On July 28, 2017, the SC verdict had, besides disqualifying then prime minister Nawaz from his position, also directed the accountability authority to file three references – regarding the family's Avenfield Properties, Al-Azizia, and Flagship Investment – before the accountability court.

In September 2017, NAB filed three references against members of the Sharif family.

On July 6 this year, Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir handed down convictions to Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz, and son-in-law Capt Mohammad Safdar (retd) in the Avenfield Properties reference and jailed them for 10 years, seven years and one year respectively.

But on Sept 19, the Islamabad High Court granted all three bail after suspending their sentences. NAB’s appeal against the suspension of the sentence remains pending before the SC.

The two references against Hussain and Hasan Nawaz, that the accountability court is to take up today, concern the setting up of the Al-Azizia and Hill Metal Establishment in Saudi Arabia, and Flagship Investment in the United Kingdom. The accountability court has charged Nawaz in both references under Section 9(a)(v) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

Accountability court Judge Mohammad Bashir, who had announced the Avenfield verdict, had recused himself from hearing the two remaining references against Sharif.

Take a look:Corruption references against me are punishment for treason case against Musharraf, Nawaz tells court

The cases were then shifted to the court of Judge Arshad Malik, who is expected to announce the verdict in the two references between 9am and 10am.

Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investments
NAB's special prosecutor says the case against the Sharifs revolves around finding out how the family’s companies were established and through which resources.

According to a plea by the Sharif family in court, the late Mian Mohammad Sharif, [Nawaz Sharif's father] established Gulf Steel Mills (GSM) in the UAE in 1974.

Seventy-five per cent shares of GSM were sold to Abdullah Kayed Ahli and the entity was re-named Ahli Steel Mills (ASM) in 1978 and the remaining 25pc shares were further sold to the ASM in 1980. This yielded an amount of AED 12 million which was invested with the Qatari royal family.

While the Sharifs were in exile, the late Mian Sharif had provided AED 5.4m for Hussain Nawaz and AED 4.2m for Hasan Nawaz to establish Al-Azizia and Hill Metal Establishment in Saudi Arabia, and Flagship Investment and 16 other companies in the UK.

In-depth: How one of Pakistan's most controversial cases has unfolded

According to the prosecution, the Sharif family has failed to justify the source of the funds provided to set up the firms and therefore, this is a case of owning assets beyond means.

The Sharif family has taken the stance that it was out of the AED 12m that the late Mian Sharif invested with the Qatari royal family, the prosecution says, and that Qatari Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani did not appear before the joint investigation team (JIT) to verify the details.

During the final arguments, the defence attorney maintained that the JIT made no serious effort to record the prince’s testimony, since this would have benefited the defence's case.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1452815/v...eferences-against-nawaz-to-be-announced-today

 

[Sher Khan]

People vote a cricketer that won us the wc ahead of a man that facilitated us being a nuclear armed country. A joke. Only in Pakistan.

 

[King-Misbah]

People vote a cricketer that won us the wc ahead of a man that facilitated us being a nuclear armed country. A joke. Only in Pakistan.

Haha! Good one!

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">العزیزیہ ریفرنس میں نوازشریف کو سات سال قید کی سزا</p>— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) <a href="https://twitter.com/geonews_urdu/status/1077139680263659520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Hermoine Green]

Alhamdulillah! Jailed for 07 years )
Welcome Back

 

[Abdullah719]

Nawaz Sharif handed 7 years in Al-Azizia, acquitted in Flagship reference

An accountability court on Monday handed ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, and acquitted him in the Flagship Investments reference.

The PML-N quaid arrived at the accountability court accompanied by nephew Hamza Shahbaz, police and private security personnel.

Shortly after Nawaz's arrival, PML-N supporters began stone pelting police and trying to force their way into the court complex, DawnNewsTV reported. Police retaliated with tear gas shelling and baton-charging the supporters.

The verdict was announced almost immediately after Nawaz arrived in the courtroom.

It was expected to be announced between 9am to 10am. However, there was a delay for unspecified reasons and sources within the court said the judgement would be announced after 2pm.

It may be mentioned that the verdict in the Avenfield corruption reference earlier this year — which handed down sentences to Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain Safdar — was delayed multiple times before eventually being announced a little after 4:30pm.

Accountability Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik on Dec 19 had reserved judgement in both the references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the former premier.

PML-N workers started gathering outside the court to show their support for the party's supreme leader as early as 7:30am.

Entry to the accountability court has been restricted to only those having permission of the registrar.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal, spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb and veteran politician Javed Hashmi arrived at court today and were permitted to enter the premises. Other leaders, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, were not allowed to enter.

Nawaz, who arrived in Islamabad from Lahore on Sunday, visited a farmhouse this morning before leaving for court where he offered sadqa and held a meeting with senior party leaders, DawnNewsTV reported, citing sources.

He met lawyer Khawaja Haris, Hamza Shahbaz, Pervaiz Rasheed, former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair, Tallal Chaudhry, and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry at the farmhouse, the sources said.

Security has been beefed up around the judicial complex, with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed around the building and along roads leading to the court.

Although Section 144 has been imposed in the capital, the Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations have decided that there will be no blockade at the entry points of the capital, and security officials will only ensure strict checking.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1452815

 

[Hermoine Green]

1.5B Rs ka Jurmana bhi

 

[Zeeraq]

Hussain Nawaz & Hassan Nawaz declared absconder.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

He's been acquitted in the flats case? Meaning Maryam is now free to take up the mantle?

 

[Hermoine Green]

He's been acquitted in the flats case? Meaning Maryam is now free to take up the mantle?

I dont think so.

 

[Bewal Express]

People vote a cricketer that won us the wc ahead of a man that facilitated us being a nuclear armed country. A joke. Only in Pakistan.

Show us the money trail

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

25 million+1.5 billion US dollars fine

Awesome

 

[last_knight]

Also all property of MNS confiscated.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

1.5B Rs ka Jurmana bhi

Dollars not Rupees

Huge difference

 

[Fahdi]

Hopefully prosecution actually did their job properly and didn't leave holes in the case for the verdict to be overturned/suspended by the High Court. And hopefully they can defend their case in front of the high court this time.

 

[Bewal Express]

Hopefully prosecution actually did their job properly and didn't leave holes in the case for the verdict to be overturned/suspended by the High Court. And hopefully they can defend their case in front of the high court this time.

IHC refused bail to Dr Shahid this week but granted it two convicts. It tells you everything you need to know about IHC

 

[Fahdi]

IHC refused bail to Dr Shahid this week but granted it two convicts. It tells you everything you need to know about IHC

IHC judges may be corrupt or whatever but they need to base their judgement on something substantive otherwise it will just be appealed and overruled by Supreme Court.

From what I have gathered the NAB prosecutors presented a very weak defense in front of the IHC. That may very well be a deliberate sabotage or just plain incompetence.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Great news.

These people have been stealing money since ages. Time to go after their assets.

A small ray of justice.

 

[Lonewarrior]

People vote a cricketer that won us the wc ahead of a man that facilitated us being a nuclear armed country. A joke. Only in Pakistan.

provide some evidence plz.
and if you are referring to 28 may 98 nuke tests, it wasnt his call.

 

[Bewal Express]

IHC judges may be corrupt or whatever but they need to base their judgement on something substantive otherwise it will just be appealed and overruled by Supreme Court.

From what I have gathered the NAB prosecutors presented a very weak defense in front of the IHC. That may very well be a deliberate sabotage or just plain incompetence.

No they are corrupt. When did they ever write 42 page judgements​ for your average person.

 

[Fahdi]

Dollars not Rupees

Huge difference

Nope. 25 million USD plus 1.5 billion Pakistani rupees. Comes out to be around 5 billion PKR.

 

[Boi]

What about the avenfield flats case? What’s the latest on that?

 

[sjahmed23]

Will be released one way or another after 6 months. These petty battles by the Pak ruling elite have become a joke.

 

[Bewal Express]

Will be released one way or another after 6 months. These petty battles by the Pak ruling elite have become a joke.

Are you saying he hasn't been looting billions?

 

[lahoriyah1234]

What Imran Khan has done in his 4 months term as a PM and the way he has made a mess of Nawaz Sharif is absolutely unbelievable and unrealistic to believe that it was ever going to happen.

Is Ne Nawaz Family ko rool diya hai bhai log rol diya.

 

[Bewal Express]

What about the avenfield flats case? What’s the latest on that?

The hearing in the SC is soon

 

[sjahmed23]

Are you saying he hasn't been looting billions?

I honestly don't know what to believe. As a kid I was told that he is corrupt and has looted billions but he still enjoys popularity and has gotten off many times before so why would it be different this time? Judicial system in Pakistan is a joke used by powers that be for score settling and nothing more. Every leader is labelled corrupt and trapped one way or another which makes me cynical of the whole process.

 

[PakLFC]

The big question is will he be freed before the seven years are up through some weird clause? Zardari is a much bigger chor yet still walking free.

 

[Bewal Express]

I honestly don't know what to believe. As a kid I was told that he is corrupt and has looted billions but he still enjoys popularity and has gotten off many times before so why would it be different this time? Judicial system in Pakistan is a joke used by powers that be for score settling and nothing more. Every leader is labelled corrupt and trapped one way or another which makes me cynical of the whole process.

The properties abroad are a fact. He needs to show the money trail.

 

[yasir]

What about the avenfield flats case? What’s the latest on that?

Are you living under the rock? - NS has been let go free of that case, because burden of proof was on Govt to prove that money used to buy properties was black money, generated by kick backs NS received while serving the PM, they were not able to prove...This case will follow the same path...

You have to understand the basic of any judicial system, normal judicial system works on principle of “Innocent till proven guilty”, accuser has to prove that party is guilty not the other way around....

NAB courts are not real courts, they are designed to black mail and shame politicians, 90% of NAB cases disqualified because of lack of evidence in real courts...This is new Military tool to recycle politicians, make sure they comply to military standards of obidence...At the end you are not going anywhere until we kick Military out of politics. They are the one who are calling shots &#55357;&#56900;&#55357;&#56900;&#55357;&#56900;

BTW: Jhanjir Tareen is as much corrupt as any other politician of the past, you know how he started of back in 2002, by giving one vote to Jamali and write off all debt (250M Rs), he is accused of corruption too and still is right hand man of IK, now he just got the PSL team, his business will be booming in next 10 years &#55357;&#56841;&#55357;&#56841;

 

[Deewana Mastana]

He'll be out by March latest if not before.

 

[Bewal Express]

Are you living under the rock? - NS has been let go free of that case, because burden of proof was on Govt to prove that money used to buy properties was black money, generated by kick backs NS received while serving the PM, they were not able to prove...This case will follow the same path...

You have to understand the basic of any judicial system, normal judicial system works on principle of “Innocent till proven guilty”, accuser has to prove that party is guilty not the other way around....

NAB courts are not real courts, they are designed to black mail and shame politicians, 90% of NAB cases disqualified because of lack of evidence in real courts...This is new Military tool to recycle politicians, make sure they comply to military standards of obidence...At the end you are not going anywhere until we kick Military out of politics. They are the one who are calling shots

BTW: Jhanjir Tareen is as much corrupt as any other politician of the past, you know how he started of back in 2002, by giving one vote to Jamali and write off all debt (250M Rs), he is accused of corruption too and still is right hand man of IK, now he just got the PSL team, his business will be booming in next 10 years

Please read the law before you post some craap. I have just copied 2 clauses for apologists of the corrupt like you.

v) if he or any of his dependents or benamidar owns, possesses, or has [acquired] right or title in any [“assets or holds irrevocable power of attorney in respect of any assets] or pecuniary resources disproportionate to his known sources of income, which he cannot [reasonably] account for [or maintains a standard of living beyond that which is commensurate with his sources of income]; or

(vi) [if he misuses his authority so as to gain any benefit or favour for himself or any other person, or [renders or attempts to render] [or willfully fails to exercise his authority to prevent the grant, or rendition of any undue benefit or favour which he could have prevented by exercising his authority];

 

[Bewal Express]

He'll be out by March latest if not before.

Let's see but after what the CJP said about the IHC decision.
" I have never seen such a verdict before,” he remarked

“What was wrong with the trial court’s verdict? The court used harsh words in its verdict,” the top judge said. “Tell us one error in the accountability court’s verdict. Can this error lead to suspension of a ruling?” he asked

 

[yasir]

Please read the law before you post some craap. I have just copied 2 clauses for apologists of the corrupt like you.

v) if he or any of his dependents or benamidar owns, possesses, or has [acquired] right or title in any [“assets or holds irrevocable power of attorney in respect of any assets] or pecuniary resources disproportionate to his known sources of income, which he cannot [reasonably] account for [or maintains a standard of living beyond that which is commensurate with his sources of income]; or

(vi) [if he misuses his authority so as to gain any benefit or favour for himself or any other person, or [renders or attempts to render] [or willfully fails to exercise his authority to prevent the grant, or rendition of any undue benefit or favour which he could have prevented by exercising his authority];

You have not answer basis question:

Why regular courts let him go last time??

Why 90% of NAB cases fail in regular courts??

 

[MenInG]

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was on Monday taken into custody by police following an accountability court judgement, was shifted to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail amid tight security on Tuesday.

Sharif, who was being held at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, was flown to Lahore this morning from Nur Khan Air Base, DawnNewsTV reported, citing jail sources.

The Punjab government had on Monday approved the provision of 'better class' jail facilities for Sharif. The better class prisoners are provided with a mattress, a study table and chair in addition to a TV set and newspaper.

A large number of PML-N supporters and workers gathered outside Kot Lakhpat jail to show their support for the former prime minister as he arrived at the premises.

A convoy transports Nawaz Sharif from Adiala Jail to Nur Khan Air Base Rawalpindi.
Shortly after yesterday's conviction in the National Accountability Court's Al-Azizia corruption reference, Sharif's defence counsel sought a court order to shift him to Lahore jail instead of Adiala since the PML-N quaid is a heart patient and his personal physicians and family members are stationed in Lahore.

Although the prosecution had opposed the application saying that Adiala jail had been notified by the federal government for imprisoning convicts of Islamabad courts, the judge accepted Sharif's plea and said that since he had convicted him and was sending him to jail, he could make the decision at his own discretion.

The court accepted Sharif’s lawyer's request to shift him to Kot Lakhpat jail instead of Adiala jail, but said he would be sent to Adiala for the time being.

Upon reaching Adiala jail, jail doctors carried out a medical examination of the PML-N leader and found him physically fit.

Tight security had been put in place around the jail before the arrival of the former prime minister as Rangers were deployed at the police checkposts established on the route to the prison.

According to sources, the PML-N supreme leader was shifted to a 'better class' barrack which had been prepared on Sunday night ─ the same high security barrack where he had been kept after being convicted in the Avenfield property case on July 6, 2018, along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Capt Mohammad Safdar.

However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) later suspended the sentences of all three members of the Sharif family and they were released from jail on Sept 19 after spending 63 days in prison.

Today also marks Sharif's 69th birthday. The PML-N's provincial secretariats have planned celebrations in this regard, along with Christmas celebrations and the commemoration of Quaid-i-Azam's birthday.

Nawaz sentenced to jail in Al-Azizia reference
The PML-N supremo was sent back to jail on Monday after being sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for seven years along with a fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills/Hill Metal Establishment reference, but was acquitted in the Flagship Investment reference.

Additionally, the accountability court barred him from holding public office for 10 years after completing the sentence, ordered confiscation of Hill Metal Establishment and issued perpetual warrants of arrest for his sons, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz.

Accountability Judge Arshad Malik said that there was sufficient evidence that connected Sharif with the charges as "the accused has failed to discharge burden of proof, therefore, I convicted him under Section 9(a) (5) of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999" in the Al-Azizia reference.

This was second conviction of the ex-premier this year, as he had been awarded 10 years imprisonment in the Avenfield Apartments reference in July.''

https://www.dawn.com/news/1453509/nawaz-shifted-to-lahores-kot-lakhpat-jail

 

[Bewal Express]

You have not answer basis question:


Why regular courts let him go last time??

Why 90% of NAB cases fail in regular courts??

Yes I have, I have given you the law, it's not my fault that you can't read. Btw it was the law he helped to create and could have amended. As far as the suspension of his 1st conviction is concerned, this is what the CJP SAID

I have never seen such a verdict before,” he remarked.


“What was wrong with the trial court’s verdict? The court used harsh words in its verdict,” the top judge said. “Tell us one error in the accountability court’s verdict. Can this error lead to suspension of a ruling?” he asked

 

[Gayle_Force]

Are you living under the rock? - NS has been let go free of that case, because burden of proof was on Govt to prove that money used to buy properties was black money, generated by kick backs NS received while serving the PM, they were not able to prove...This case will follow the same path...

You have to understand the basic of any judicial system, normal judicial system works on principle of “Innocent till proven guilty”, accuser has to prove that party is guilty not the other way around....

NAB courts are not real courts, they are designed to black mail and shame politicians, 90% of NAB cases disqualified because of lack of evidence in real courts...This is new Military tool to recycle politicians, make sure they comply to military standards of obidence...At the end you are not going anywhere until we kick Military out of politics. They are the one who are calling shots &#55357;&#56900;&#55357;&#56900;&#55357;&#56900;

BTW: Jhanjir Tareen is as much corrupt as any other politician of the past, you know how he started of back in 2002, by giving one vote to Jamali and write off all debt (250M Rs), he is accused of corruption too and still is right hand man of IK, now he just got the PSL team, his business will be booming in next 10 years &#55357;&#56841;&#55357;&#56841;

NS is on bail on the avenfield case not “been let go free”. Shows who is living under a rock.

 

[Bewal Express]

NS is on bail on the avenfield case not “been let go free”. Shows who is living under a rock.

He wants it to blame it on the army. Apparently it's the army that forced to steal money from a poor country.

 

[Zeeraq]

PML-N leaders assail govt, question merits of judgement against Sharif

PML-N leaders on Tuesday questioned the merits of the judgement against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, and claimed that the ongoing process of accountability in the country was discriminating against opposition leaders but favouring the government.

A day after an accountability court handed Sharif seven years in jail and two hefty fines, an assortment of PML-N leaders, at a press conference in Islamabad, took turns to criticise the verdict as well as the federal government and its allies.

"The first case in which Nawaz Sharif was disqualified, the crime ascertained was that he did not take salary from his son," said former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal. "And this time the allegation levelled is that 'since your son sent you money, therefore you stand disqualified'.

"Now I want to raise this question that in the Middle East up to 3.5 million Pakistanis remit money to their families, so would they be considered their business partners or co-owners? If any son sends money to his parents, will they be held guilty?

"Nawaz Sharif was ascertained the owner of that company simply on the basis that his son sent him money — a practice that is done by millions of Pakistanis.

"Similarly, the ongoing accountability process is basically a selected prime minister committing selected accountability. PML-N legislators are being arrested whereas the PTI and its allies, no matter how severe the allegations on them, they are free to do anything.

"PML-N leaders are arrested during inquiry but PTI leaders, who even have references filed against them, are free and the law is not in motion against them. Nawaz Sharif appeared 165 times in the court but PTI leaders' cases get delayed at their leisure. They are given dates as per their preference.

"No one can arrest PTI leaders. All the summons and arrests are for PML-N leaders because this government is on ventilator. Another form of convention or Q league is being imposed on Pakistan in the form of PTI."

Iqbal claimed that the corruption being committed under the PTI government is three times more than that of the previous eras but that "no NAB, no court is taking suo motu notice of it".

Mohammad Zubair urged the prime minister to also hold his own party leaders accountable, especially those who "have admitted themselves that they had offshore companies".

"We demand from NAB and the courts that the sense of urgency they have shown against the PML-N, we want to see the same against the PTI leaders.

The former governor Sindh questioned why the case of prime minister's sister Aleema Khanum was wrapped up with "just a fine".

"If it was solved with a penalty then it means that she had done something wrong," Zubair said. "Why isn't the same penalty solution offered to the PML-N? Our question is how did she send money abroad from here. The PM should set an example here.

"Moreover, you have ordered audits of Lahore Metro, Multan Metro and Pindi/Islamabad Metro ... why not Peshawar Metro? Why is there such a distinction? These twin standards are not acceptable and we demand of NAB that if they want to establish their credibility, there should be an across-the-board accountability."

Zubair demanded that the PTI leaders make complete disclosures of their earnings, money trails and property acquisitions.

Sharif was convicted in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference but acquitted in Flagship Investments reference — a distinction that Punjab's former law minister Rana Sanaullah found hard to understand.

He claimed that the evidence and defence was same in both the cases, adding that it is strange for "Qatari to be halal in one and haram in other". However, Sanaullah seemed hopeful of "getting relief from the courts just as we had before".

"We respect NAB as an institution of justice," he said. "We can still have our reservations against an individual."

Sanaullah, however, slammed an unnamed individual from Rawalpindi for "acting as the spokesperson of NAB and the judiciary".

Senator Mushahidullah echoed Sanaullah's sentiments regarding the individual from Rawalpindi as well as another from Jhelum.

Musadiq Malik, the former spokesperson to the prime minister, drew a parallel between the incumbent government and the Adolf Hitler-led Nazi Germany.

"There is a ban on politics, on journalism and every dissenter who questions is being arrested," Malik claimed.

He wondered why Sharif was handed a prison sentence even when "the NAB had itself admitted in court that Sharif was neither a shareholder, a director or a signatory."

"I pray that they (PTI government) do not end the way Hitler and Mussolini did ... because their conducts are similar," Malik concluded.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, while responding to a question on restrictions on media, claimed that the "government wants to shut down all private channels so that only PTV remains, which could then keep their failures and corruption hidden".

PTI leaders rebut PML-N's stinging presser

Minutes after the PML-N presser ended, PTI leaders — led by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry — conducted a press conference of their own.

Chaudhry defended the ongoing accountability drive, reminding his critics that "it is our mandate to catch thieves."

Regarding PML-N leaders' repeated labeling of the premier as a "selected prime minister", the information minister reminded them that "the PML-N itself was engineered by General Zia."

"Mian Sharif, Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif were not even councilors before General Zia," the firebrand PTI leader added.

Chaudhry questioned the basis of PML-N's criticism of PML-Q, a key government ally, pointing out that one of their former leaders (Mushahid Hussain Syed) was in their own ranks.

In the earlier presser, multiple PML-N leaders had asked why Shahbaz Sharif was in jail but PTI leader Babar Awan was not despite NAB inquires against both.

Chaudhry explained that Shahbaz and Khawaja Saad Rafique, unlike Awan, were influencing the probe against them.

Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar tackled the Aleema Khanum issue. He claimed that the PM's sibling's case of undeclared assets was resolved with just a fine because "she has never been a public office-holder."

The state minister said that Khanum has since also submitted her money trail in the court, pointing out that her only fault was that she had not declared a foreign asset — an offence for which he said a penalty was apt retribution.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1453525/p...t-question-merits-of-judgement-against-sharif

 

[Zeeraq]

Are you living under the rock? - NS has been let go free of that case, because burden of proof was on Govt to prove that money used to buy properties was black money, generated by kick backs NS received while serving the PM, they were not able to prove...This case will follow the same path...

You have to understand the basic of any judicial system, normal judicial system works on principle of “Innocent till proven guilty”, accuser has to prove that party is guilty not the other way around....

NAB courts are not real courts, they are designed to black mail and shame politicians, 90% of NAB cases disqualified because of lack of evidence in real courts...This is new Military tool to recycle politicians, make sure they comply to military standards of obidence...At the end you are not going anywhere until we kick Military out of politics. They are the one who are calling shots ������

BTW: Jhanjir Tareen is as much corrupt as any other politician of the past, you know how he started of back in 2002, by giving one vote to Jamali and write off all debt (250M Rs), he is accused of corruption too and still is right hand man of IK, now he just got the PSL team, his business will be booming in next 10 years ����

It seems you're the one who is living under the rock, Nawaz Sharif & Maryam Nawaz are on bail in that case - it hasn't been dismissed.

Pakistan NAB laws states that a public office holder should have a reasonable account of his assets, Even British have introduced this law - Unexplained Wealth Order. So these types of laws are gaining more traction and it seems Pakistan is leading in it.

Jahangir Tareen may have been corrupt but no evidence have surfaced regarding that and he has been able to easily account for his every asset, he got disqualified because he didn't declare the asset on his papers(It was declared on his son tax returns), not on how he earned it.

 

[shaaik]

'Nawaz in high spirits,' says Maryam after visiting Kot Lakhpat jail

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of the incarcerated PML-N quaid Nawaz Sharif, arrived at Kot Lakhpat jail on Thursday to meet the former prime minister along with her grandmother and several party leaders.

Nawaz Sharif had been shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore on Tuesday, a day after he was taken into custody following an accountability court judgement sending him to jail for seven years in a corruption case.

Initially, he was kept at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail and later flown to Lahore after the trial court allowed him to serve his sentence in Kot Lakhpat.

Following her meeting with Nawaz, Maryam said that her father was “in high spirits”. In her tweet, Maryam said that when she asked Nawaz “if he needed anything from home”, he replied, “yes, Kulsoom’s photos”.


Former national assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq and PML-N leader Rana Tanvir had also arrived at the jail to meet the PML-N supremo.

Sadiq, while talking to reporters outside the jail, expressed the party's reservations over the judgement. He said that a bail application will be moved soon and expressed his hope that they would secure bail for Nawaz Sharif.

He claimed that the decision doesn't specify financial corruption done by Nawaz, and commended the former premier for honouring the supremacy of law.

"The three-time prime minister had been appearing before a joint investigation team. There is no such precedent in the past, nor would be in the future," he added.

Rana Tanvir claimed that the PML-N was being subjected to a political vendetta. He also accused the government of using dual standards.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1453899/nawaz-in-high-spirits-says-maryam-after-visiting-kot-lakhpat-jail

 

[DonJee]

'

Following her meeting with Nawaz, Maryam said that her father was “in high spirits”. In her tweet, Maryam said that when she asked Nawaz “if he needed anything from home”, he replied, “yes, Kulsoom’s photos”.



https://www.dawn.com/news/1453899/nawaz-in-high-spirits-says-maryam-after-visiting-kot-lakhpat-jail

Bollywood dialogues won't do her any good!

 

[gazza619]

'Nawaz in high spirits,' says Maryam after visiting Kot Lakhpat jail

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of the incarcerated PML-N quaid Nawaz Sharif, arrived at Kot Lakhpat jail on Thursday to meet the former prime minister along with her grandmother and several party leaders.

Nawaz Sharif had been shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore on Tuesday, a day after he was taken into custody following an accountability court judgement sending him to jail for seven years in a corruption case.

Initially, he was kept at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail and later flown to Lahore after the trial court allowed him to serve his sentence in Kot Lakhpat.

Following her meeting with Nawaz, Maryam said that her father was “in high spirits”. In her tweet, Maryam said that when she asked Nawaz “if he needed anything from home”, he replied, “yes, Kulsoom’s photos”.


Former national assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq and PML-N leader Rana Tanvir had also arrived at the jail to meet the PML-N supremo.

Sadiq, while talking to reporters outside the jail, expressed the party's reservations over the judgement. He said that a bail application will be moved soon and expressed his hope that they would secure bail for Nawaz Sharif.

He claimed that the decision doesn't specify financial corruption done by Nawaz, and commended the former premier for honouring the supremacy of law.

"The three-time prime minister had been appearing before a joint investigation team. There is no such precedent in the past, nor would be in the future," he added.

Rana Tanvir claimed that the PML-N was being subjected to a political vendetta. He also accused the government of using dual standards.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1453899/nawaz-in-high-spirits-says-maryam-after-visiting-kot-lakhpat-jail

Geez talk about drama

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Nawaz Sharif has filed an appeal against the verdict of the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference in the Islamabad High Court — a week after an accountability court awarded a seven-year jail term to the former prime minister in the case.

On December 24, 2018, Accountability Court II Judge Arshad Malik had sentenced Nawaz to seven years in prison along with a fine of Rs1.5 billion and US$25 million in the Al-Azizia corruption reference. The former premier is serving his term in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The appeal against Nawaz’s conviction in the reference was filed by his counsel Khawaja Haris.

In the appeal, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz quaid has requested the high court to declare his sentence null and void, and release him on bail.

He has argued that the court's verdict is grounded in an incorrect interpretation of the law. The accountability court which announced the verdict failed to cater to the objections raised by the accused, the appeal states.

A separate petition has also been filed seeking suspension of Nawaz’s sentence in the reference.

A two-member divisional bench of the Islamabad High Court will hear the appeal against Nawaz’s conviction and sentence.

Al-Azizia reference details
Hussain Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister’s elder son, claims that he received a sum of $5.4 million from his grandfather to establish the steel conglomerate in Saudi Arabia. The payment was made by a Qatari royal on the request of the elder Sharif. Thereafter, scrap machinery was transported from their Ahli Steel Mills in Dubai to Jeddah to establish Al-Azizia in 2001.

The JIT constituted to investigate the graft allegations insisted that the real owner of the mills was Nawaz Sharif, and it was being operated by his son on his behalf. Hussain was 29-years-old at the time. The JIT also held that Nawaz Sharif received 97 per cent profit as ‘gifts’ from Hill Metals Establishment, another company established by Hussain Nawaz Sharif in 2005, in Saudi Arabia.

Of the amount, Nawaz Sharif transferred 77 percent to his daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. (Maryam is not accused in this reference). Here as well, the NAB claims that since Sharif received a large profit from Hussain’s companies, he is the real owner and not his son. However, during the proceedings the NAB could not substantiate its claim through documentary evidences and instead placed the burden of proof on the accused.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/223772-nawaz-sharif-challenges-al-azizia-reference-verdict-in-ihc

 

[Saj]

Seems like he is fairly comfortable in prison with most of the facilities he would want.

Sounds it's more like a hotel than a prison.

 

[PakLFC]

I am happy to see Nawaz released if he returns all the looted wealth. That would be much better then seeing this man rot in prison for the rest of his days which benefits no one. Same applies to Shahbaz and Zardari as well. Nawaz may be happy in prison with all facilities provided but is not free.

 

[gazza619]

I am happy to see Nawaz released if he returns all the looted wealth. That would be much better then seeing this man rot in prison for the rest of his days which benefits no one. Same applies to Shahbaz and Zardari as well. Nawaz may be happy in prison with all facilities provided but is not free.

I think he has no choice but to return some of the money. A deal is on the cards. Agree that we wont get anything by him rotting in jail.

 

[PakLFC]

I think he has no choice but to return some of the money. A deal is on the cards. Agree that we wont get anything by him rotting in jail.

Some won't be good enough. He needs to return the vast majority if not all of it. Some off it won't be accepted by the PTI or IK.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Although former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been given ‘better class’ in the Kot Lakhpat jail, the Punjab government on Wednesday said it could not provide a prisoner to him who could serve as his ‘orderly’ and that he would have to maintain his room on his own.

Inspector General of Prisons Shahid Saleem Beg said “Nawaz Sharif has been asked to maintain his room” to serve out the seven-year ‘rigorous’ imprisonment handed down to him in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills/Hill Metal Establishment reference.

Speaking to media personnel in the presence of Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar at the Governor House, the prisons chief said Mr Sharif’s case was highly sensitive and he could not be allowed to go outside his barracks in the prison. He said Mr Sharif’s “rigour had been kept within his barracks”.

According to the jail manual, he said, the former premier had been asked to maintain his room himself.

However, he later clarified to Dawn that Mr Sharif had not been put to any rigour, adding that the manual allowed elderly inmates certain concessions on that count.

“Any issue related to Nawaz Sharif in jail could bring a bad name to Pakistan,” Mr Beg said.

Meanwhile, responding at the press conference to a question about the PTI government’s stance on the Sindh government, Governor Sarwar said the federal government did not want any confrontation with any political party and instead wanted to take all political parties along.

“The PTI is neither planning nor intending to oust any provincial government,” he said and added that the incumbent government would continue to root out corruption from society that had eaten up all the resources and left people to live in abject poverty. He said the PTI was crusading against corruption for the past 22 years and could not compromise on the matter.

The PTI government believed that it was corruption that had destroyed institutions like state-owned hospitals and even deprived the masses of clean drinking water, he said.

Mr Sarwar said the country could not progress and attain prosperity without a surgical operation to root out the cancer of corruption.

About the inclusion of all the chief ministers in the National Finance Commission, he said the chief ministers were on the same page and that the federal government would take all provinces along. The smaller provinces needed to be taken care of, he added.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1455159/nawaz-denied-assistant-told-to-maintain-jail-room-on-his-own

 

[Zeeraq]

Nawaz Sharif requests for bail in Al-Azizia reference case

Incarcerated PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif on Thursday asked the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to suspend his sentence in Al-Azizia corruption reference case till the high court decides on his plea against the verdict.

On December 24, 2018, the Accountability Court 2 of Islamabad had handed a seven-year rigorous imprisonment to Sharif along with a fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills/Hill Metal Establish*ment reference. It had, however, acquitted him in the Flagship Investment reference case.

The accountability court, as part of the Al-Azizia Steel Mills judgement, had also barred Sharif from holding public office for 10 years after completing his sentence. It had also ordered confiscation of Hill Metal Establishment and issued perpetual warrants for the arrest of his sons, Hussain and Hassan, who were declared proclaimed offenders.

According to the application, Sharif had already challenged the sentence in the high court. The petition claimed that the accountability court had convicted the petitioner on the basis of unacceptable evidence while the court also avoided to respond to the objections being raised by the defendant in the case.

The application claimed that putting Sharif in jail on the basis of the Dec 24 verdict would be a violation of basic rights of the petitioner.

The IHC was urged to grant bail to Sharif until a decision on the appeal against the verdict is not decided.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1455253/nawaz-sharif-requests-for-bail-in-al-azizia-reference-case

 

[Zeeraq]

SC upholds IHC verdict, dismisses NAB's appeal against suspension of Sharifs' sentences in Avenfiel

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld an Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict that had ordered the suspension of prison sentences awarded to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in the Avenfield corruption reference.

A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, dismissed National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) plea against the high court's decision.

The apex court, in its ruling, said that NAB has failed to provide the "ground for cancellation of bail" and that the IHC had not exceeded its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield reference.

Read: Avenfield House or ‘tax haven’ house?

The Supreme Court's decision brings a rare relief for the Sharif family, both of whose leaders — Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif — are currently incarcerated.

Maryam thanked "Allah Almighty for today's decision" but said that her "true relief and happiness would be when my father comes back home."

At the outset of the hearing today, the chief justice told NAB prosecutor Akram Qureshi to "convince [the bench] why the high court's ruling should be suspended".

The chief justice told the NAB counsel to delineate the grounds on which the apex court can suspend the granting of bail. "Also tell us if the high court had the authority to suspend the sentence," he added.

Qureshi explained that his argument stood on the basis of earlier cases heard by the top court, claiming that bail can only be granted in the case of "hardship", which was not the reason behind IHC's verdict.

The NAB prosecutor pointed out that the IHC had questioned the merit of the trial in its judgement — something he said a high court cannot do in a bail plea.

Take a look: IHC surprised at ‘lapse’ by NAB in Avenfield case

"Nawaz Sharif was granted bail on the same grounds that had led to his conviction," observed Justice Gulzar Ahmed, who was also part of the bench. "You did not challenge those grounds."

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who is set to succeed Justice Nisar as the top judge, said that NAB's argument was not "solid" and rejected the claim that the high court had exceeded its authority.

He further said that the high court had mentioned that its "observation was not final".

The chief justice, however, told the NAB prosecutor that "an interim order is never final and [it] never affects the final verdict either."

In July 2018, an accountability court had handed Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and 1 year for not cooperating with NAB.

His daughter Maryam was given seven years for abetment after she was found "instrumental in concealment of the properties of her father" and one year for non-cooperation with the bureau. Meanwhile, Nawaz's son-in-law retired Captain Safdar has been given one year jail time — for not cooperating with NAB, and aiding and abeting Nawaz and Maryam.

In Sept 2018, the IHC had accepted the convicts' petitions and suspended the trio's respective prison sentences — a decision that the corruption watchdog had subsequently challenged in the apex court.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1457487/s...ension-of-sharifs-sentences-in-avenfield-case

 

[Bewal Express]

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld an Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict that had ordered the suspension of prison sentences awarded to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in the Avenfield corruption reference.

A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, dismissed National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) plea against the high court's decision.

The apex court, in its ruling, said that NAB has failed to provide the "ground for cancellation of bail" and that the IHC had not exceeded its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield reference.

Read: Avenfield House or ‘tax haven’ house?

The Supreme Court's decision brings a rare relief for the Sharif family, both of whose leaders — Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif — are currently incarcerated.

Maryam thanked "Allah Almighty for today's decision" but said that her "true relief and happiness would be when my father comes back home."

At the outset of the hearing today, the chief justice told NAB prosecutor Akram Qureshi to "convince [the bench] why the high court's ruling should be suspended".

The chief justice told the NAB counsel to delineate the grounds on which the apex court can suspend the granting of bail. "Also tell us if the high court had the authority to suspend the sentence," he added.

Qureshi explained that his argument stood on the basis of earlier cases heard by the top court, claiming that bail can only be granted in the case of "hardship", which was not the reason behind IHC's verdict.

The NAB prosecutor pointed out that the IHC had questioned the merit of the trial in its judgement — something he said a high court cannot do in a bail plea.

Take a look: IHC surprised at ‘lapse’ by NAB in Avenfield case

"Nawaz Sharif was granted bail on the same grounds that had led to his conviction," observed Justice Gulzar Ahmed, who was also part of the bench. "You did not challenge those grounds."

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who is set to succeed Justice Nisar as the top judge, said that NAB's argument was not "solid" and rejected the claim that the high court had exceeded its authority.

He further said that the high court had mentioned that its "observation was not final".

The chief justice, however, told the NAB prosecutor that "an interim order is never final and [it] never affects the final verdict either."

In July 2018, an accountability court had handed Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and 1 year for not cooperating with NAB.

His daughter Maryam was given seven years for abetment after she was found "instrumental in concealment of the properties of her father" and one year for non-cooperation with the bureau. Meanwhile, Nawaz's son-in-law retired Captain Safdar has been given one year jail time — for not cooperating with NAB, and aiding and abeting Nawaz and Maryam.

In Sept 2018, the IHC had accepted the convicts' petitions and suspended the trio's respective prison sentences — a decision that the corruption watchdog had subsequently challenged in the apex court.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1457487/s...ension-of-sharifs-sentences-in-avenfield-case

I am not sure where this is going.

 

[DonJee]

I am not sure where this is going.

Towards NRO, seems pretty obvious!

 

[Pakpak]

Its only suspension, not reversal. And besides he is in jail now for good with the last reference he was convicted on. The judge said the NAB lawyers were poor, when asked the cost of the flats the NAB lawyer said google it. I mean poor stuff, should know this stuff from the back of his hand.

 

[yasir]

NAB has to work harder

When will Pakistani public realize, Politicians are not the "Kingpin", that is another institution which is love of the nation :

Killing few top politicians is not going to change country, its not that easy, we have done that multiple times with no fruits. You have to rise up against the real culprit, nothing is free

 

[slipcatch]

NAB has to work harder

When will Pakistani public realize, Politicians are not the "Kingpin", that is another institution which is love of the nation :

Killing few top politicians is not going to change country, its not that easy, we have done that multiple times with no fruits. You have to rise up against the real culprit, nothing is free

If real culprit wanted NS to say in jail for this then they would have had no problem making that happen.

NS is paying the price what he has done to the country and people of Pakistan.

 

[yasir]

If real culprit wanted NS to say in jail for this then they would have had no problem making that happen.

NS is paying the price what he has done to the country and people of Pakistan.

Bhutto paid price, Benezir paid price, now NS is paying price. If all the bad guys are handled by Country's wonderful justice system, how come country does not progress?

 

[Bewal Express]

Towards NRO, seems pretty obvious!

If they are given an NRO, it will be interesting to know who. If it's IK then my support is over unless he gets the loot back 1st.

 

[slipcatch]

Bhutto paid price, Benezir paid price, now NS is paying price. If all the bad guys are handled by Country's wonderful justice system, how come country does not progress?

Beside Bhutto everyone paid price for their greed and stupidity.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lahore?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lahore</a I want to go abroad for medical reasons: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamzaShehbaz?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamzaShehbaz</a><br><br>Watch Live: <a href="https://t.co/WzGiFNg1k7">https://t.co/WzGiFNg1k7</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DunyaNews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DunyaNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DunyaUpdates?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DunyaUpdates</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PTIofficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pmln_org?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pmln_org</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaCellPPP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MediaCellPPP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fawadchaudhry</a> <a href="https://t.co/uQGKO8AkNC">pic.twitter.com/uQGKO8AkNC</a></p>— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/DunyaNews/status/1085122033514569729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bewal Express]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lahore?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lahore</a I want to go abroad for medical reasons: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamzaShehbaz?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamzaShehbaz</a><br><br>Watch Live: <a href="https://t.co/WzGiFNg1k7">https://t.co/WzGiFNg1k7</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DunyaNews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DunyaNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DunyaUpdates?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DunyaUpdates</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PTIofficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pmln_org?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pmln_org</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaCellPPP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MediaCellPPP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fawadchaudhry</a> <a href="https://t.co/uQGKO8AkNC">pic.twitter.com/uQGKO8AkNC</a></p>— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/DunyaNews/status/1085122033514569729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What? His daddy has been power for dacades in Punjab and he couldnt build a single hospital which his son can use.

 

[Bewal Express]

The SC has seriously erred in its decision on the bail. The reasons given by Klasra are just ludicrous, on the one hand the SC took the Corrupt IHC decision apart and then on other hand, it reaffirmed it's wrong decision. Confused, well you should be.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why are some of our lawmakers so scared of the ECL? Why are they so keen to go abroad? There is so much work to be done by politicians in & for Pak - the land they claim to love but some cannot wait to take frequent trips abroad & lawmakers have iqamas or residencies abroad.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1085777889830858752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Al-Azizia reference appeal: IHC issues notices to Nawaz Sharif, NAB

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over their respective appeals filed against the Al-Azizia reference verdict.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhatr Kiyani heard NAB’s appeals challenging the verdicts of an accountability court in Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investment corruption references against Nawaz.

Nawaz was sentenced to seven years in prison by the accountability court in Al-Azizia reference and fined Rs1.5 billion, in a verdict announced on December 24. He was acquitted in the Flagship corruption reference.

In its appeal against Nawaz's acquittal in the Flagship reference, NAB had contended that the court's acquittal of the former premier was not justified. In its other appeal, the anti-corruption watchdog had argued that Nawaz was found guilty with all charges against him proven, and the seven-year jail term awarded in the Al-Azizia reference was not enough and should be increased.

IHC earlier today heard NAB's appeals along with appeals filed by Nawaz against the Al-Azizia verdict and suspension of his sentence.

Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris argued before the bench that the former premier was not the real owner of the assets, but he had still been sentenced in the Al-Azizia reference.

Following the lawyer’s arguments, the bench summoned the records of the trial and issued notices to the former prime minister as well as NAB over the appeals.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/225775-al-azizia-reference-appeal-ihc-issues-notices-to-nawaz-sharif-nab

 

[FearlessRoar]

The Islamabad High Court has restored the right to appeal against the conviction of former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references.

A two-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court heard the petitions to revive the appeal against the sentence. During the hearing, the NAB supported the reinstatement of former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's appeals.

NAB Prosecutor General Ehtesham Qadir came to the rostrum to give arguments and said that the scope for withdrawing the reference is only if the decision has not been delivered, we have considered these appeals, reviewed the facts and law of both the cases. First, I want to tell you about the Avonfield case. The references were filed on the order of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ordered the filing of the reference but also constituted the JIT.

Source: Express News

 

[FearlessRoar]

The notification of the retirement of Judge Muhammad Bashir, who sentenced former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in the Avenfield reference, has been issued.

According to the details, the notification of the retirement of Judge Muhammad Basheer of the Accountability Court was issued, after the approval of the Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, the Registrar issued the notification.

In the notification issued by the registrar, it is stated that Judge Muhammad Basheer will retire on March 14, 2024.


Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the cases of Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman PTI and Shaukat Aziz, while Judge Muhammad Bashir sentenced Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in the Avenfield reference.

The cases against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and the case of former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan are also being heard in Judge Muhammad Bashir's court. Judge Muhammad Bashir has been presiding over the accountability court since 2012.

Source: ARY

 

[FearlessRoar]

In a massive relief for the PML-N, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday acquitted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference.

The verdict was announced by a two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb on Nawaz’s appeal against his conviction in the case.

In July 2018, an accountability court had handed the PML-N leader 10 years in jail in the Avenfield properties corruption reference for owning assets beyond known income and one year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), both of which were to be served concurrently.

The IHC had declared him a proclaimed offender in the case in December 2020. After leaving for London on medical grounds, Nawaz remained there for nearly four years and only returned to the country last month.

Following his return from the UK last month, the PML-N leader had filed an application seeking the restoration of his appeal against his conviction.

He had contended that while he was abroad for medical treatment, the pending appeals were dismissed for non-prosecution. The plea requested the court to revive the pending appeal for a decision on them on merit. Last month, the IHC had restored the appeal in question.

Today, the court set aside the accountability court’s verdict and accepted Nawaz’s appeal.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, the PML-N supremo said: “I thank God as I had left the entire matters on him. God has exonerated us today.”

As the proceedings commenced, Nawaz’s lawyers came to the rostrum. Pervaiz contended that the accountability court had acquitted the PML-N supremo from Section 9A of the NAB Ordinance in the Avenfield reference.

Now, only section 9A(5) is remaining in the case which pertains to assets beyond means, the counsel said and then proceeded to read the law out loud in court.

“Under Section 9A(5), the prosecution has to prove certain facts and the accused is required to be shown as a public office holder,” he said. The law states that the accused’s income should not match with his assets, the lawyer added.

“I think Nawaz’s sentence was suspended on the same basis,” Justice Aurangzeb said here. “We relied on several judgments of the Supreme Court for the verdict on the suspension of the sentence,” he said.

The judge added that later the apex court had further elaborated on the matter and directed the lawyer to assist the court on this.

Continuing the arguments, Pervaiz said the investigation agency has to investigate the source of the assets at the time of their acquisition and compare known sources of income with the value of the assets.

“But this case is such that its contents have yet not been proven,” he said, adding that the investigators failed to prove all the sections of crime.

Subsequently, the lawyer submitted date-wise details of Nawaz’s assets in court.

At that, the IHC CJ asked if if these assets were requisitioned at the same time or separately. “These properties were obtained from 1993 to 1996,” the lawyer replied, highlighting that nowhere it was written in the reference that these properties were linked to Nawaz.

"Whether it is the joint investigation team, NAB reports, references or statements, the value of these properties were not written anywhere,” he contended. “There is not a single page that can prove Nawaz had any connection with these properties.”

Pervaiz further stated that Wajid Zia, the prosecution witness, had also stated during the cross-examination that he had no evidence to prove the PML-N supremo’s connection with the properties.

“Do these documents include the date of acquisition of the properties and their value?” Justice Farooq asked. The PML-N counsel responded that the details were mentioned in some documents but they did not have any information that could prove Nawaz’s connection with the properties.

Pervaiz further pointed out that the most important question was that of the ownership of the properties. “There is no verbal nor documented evidence that these properties were ever owned by Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

The lawyer added that prosecution had to prove Maryan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz were under the patronage of the PML-N supremo. “But there is no evidence for that either,” he argued.

Pervaiz also reiterated that there is no evidence the properties were ever under the ownership of Nawaz.

“Is this all the job of the prosecution?” the IHC CJ asked, to which the lawyer replied in the affirmative.

At one point, Justice Aurangzeb asked the NAB prosecutor if he was noting the points highlighted by Pervaiz. “He is talking about very important things,” the judge highlighted.

“Yes sir, I am noting,” the prosecutor replied but Justice Aurangzeb cut him short and said that the former did not have a pen in his hands, prompting laughter in the courtroom.

Meanwhile, Pervaiz went on to say that the prosecution was also responsible for explaining how the public office was used to acquire “benaami properties” and read orders issued by the SC regarding the matter.

“We are aware of the main contents of benaami under the criminal law,” Justice Aurangzeb said and directed the lawyer to assist the court regarding the same under the NAB Ordinance.

Pervaiz contended that the court announced the verdict on “the basis of assumption” and penned the verdict on the basis of generality not evidence.

The court had said Maryam Nawaz was a beneficial owner and also under the patronage of the PML-N leader, he pointed out, adding that it was also written that children were in most circumstances dependent on their father.

He recalled that the Lahore High Court had earlier acquitted a NAB suspect, Intelligence Bureau’s former brigadier Imtiaz, on the basis that the accountability watchdog had determined the value of his alleged properties without determining his income.

“The SC had also maintained this decision and did not give a differing judgment,” the PML-N counsel highlighted, adding that the IHC had also upheld the same in the Avenfield case against Maryam Nawaz.

Referring to this verdict, Pervaiz stated that the court had ruled that the prosecution did not have a single document to prove as evidence in the case.

Here, Justice Aurangzeb stated that the court had recently issued an order under which four categories needed to be proven pertaining to benaami properties or accounts.

For his part, the NAB prosecutor said the reference was filed due to the SC’s judgment to which the Justice Aurangzeb noted that the court’s understanding was that the accountability watchdog was compelled for file the reference.

The Avenfield reference pertains to the purchase of four flats in Avenfield House, Park Lane, London. It was among the three cases filed by NAB against the former premier and his children on the Supreme Court’s orders in its landmark July 28 Panamagate verdict.

The proceeding in the Avenfield reference had commenced in September 2017 and an accountability court had indicted Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar on October 19, 2017.

According to the JIT report submitted in the Panamagate case, the Sharifs had given contradictory statements about their London flats and found that the flats actually belonged to them since 1993.

It said Nawaz had distanced himself from the apartments and could not explain the time frame and procedure adopted for obtaining the possession of Avenfield apartments by his sons and was even uncertain about which son claimed the ownership of the flats now.

An accountability court in July 2018 had handed Nawaz 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and one year for not cooperating with NAB in the case, as well as a fine of £8m.

Last year, the IHC had acquitted Maryam and her spouse retired Capt Safdar of the charges levelled in the Avenfield apartments reference and set aside an accountability court’s July 2018 verdict.

Source: Dawn

In major relief, IHC acquits Nawaz Sharif in Avenfield reference

"God has exonerated us today," says PML-N supremo.

www.dawn.com

 

[Bewal Express]

In a massive relief for the PML-N, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday acquitted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference.

The verdict was announced by a two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb on Nawaz’s appeal against his conviction in the case.

In July 2018, an accountability court had handed the PML-N leader 10 years in jail in the Avenfield properties corruption reference for owning assets beyond known income and one year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), both of which were to be served concurrently.

The IHC had declared him a proclaimed offender in the case in December 2020. After leaving for London on medical grounds, Nawaz remained there for nearly four years and only returned to the country last month.

Following his return from the UK last month, the PML-N leader had filed an application seeking the restoration of his appeal against his conviction.

He had contended that while he was abroad for medical treatment, the pending appeals were dismissed for non-prosecution. The plea requested the court to revive the pending appeal for a decision on them on merit. Last month, the IHC had restored the appeal in question.

Today, the court set aside the accountability court’s verdict and accepted Nawaz’s appeal.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, the PML-N supremo said: “I thank God as I had left the entire matters on him. God has exonerated us today.”

As the proceedings commenced, Nawaz’s lawyers came to the rostrum. Pervaiz contended that the accountability court had acquitted the PML-N supremo from Section 9A of the NAB Ordinance in the Avenfield reference.

Now, only section 9A(5) is remaining in the case which pertains to assets beyond means, the counsel said and then proceeded to read the law out loud in court.

“Under Section 9A(5), the prosecution has to prove certain facts and the accused is required to be shown as a public office holder,” he said. The law states that the accused’s income should not match with his assets, the lawyer added.

“I think Nawaz’s sentence was suspended on the same basis,” Justice Aurangzeb said here. “We relied on several judgments of the Supreme Court for the verdict on the suspension of the sentence,” he said.

The judge added that later the apex court had further elaborated on the matter and directed the lawyer to assist the court on this.

Continuing the arguments, Pervaiz said the investigation agency has to investigate the source of the assets at the time of their acquisition and compare known sources of income with the value of the assets.

“But this case is such that its contents have yet not been proven,” he said, adding that the investigators failed to prove all the sections of crime.

Subsequently, the lawyer submitted date-wise details of Nawaz’s assets in court.

At that, the IHC CJ asked if if these assets were requisitioned at the same time or separately. “These properties were obtained from 1993 to 1996,” the lawyer replied, highlighting that nowhere it was written in the reference that these properties were linked to Nawaz.

"Whether it is the joint investigation team, NAB reports, references or statements, the value of these properties were not written anywhere,” he contended. “There is not a single page that can prove Nawaz had any connection with these properties.”

Pervaiz further stated that Wajid Zia, the prosecution witness, had also stated during the cross-examination that he had no evidence to prove the PML-N supremo’s connection with the properties.

“Do these documents include the date of acquisition of the properties and their value?” Justice Farooq asked. The PML-N counsel responded that the details were mentioned in some documents but they did not have any information that could prove Nawaz’s connection with the properties.

Pervaiz further pointed out that the most important question was that of the ownership of the properties. “There is no verbal nor documented evidence that these properties were ever owned by Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

The lawyer added that prosecution had to prove Maryan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz were under the patronage of the PML-N supremo. “But there is no evidence for that either,” he argued.

Pervaiz also reiterated that there is no evidence the properties were ever under the ownership of Nawaz.

“Is this all the job of the prosecution?” the IHC CJ asked, to which the lawyer replied in the affirmative.

At one point, Justice Aurangzeb asked the NAB prosecutor if he was noting the points highlighted by Pervaiz. “He is talking about very important things,” the judge highlighted.

“Yes sir, I am noting,” the prosecutor replied but Justice Aurangzeb cut him short and said that the former did not have a pen in his hands, prompting laughter in the courtroom.

Meanwhile, Pervaiz went on to say that the prosecution was also responsible for explaining how the public office was used to acquire “benaami properties” and read orders issued by the SC regarding the matter.

“We are aware of the main contents of benaami under the criminal law,” Justice Aurangzeb said and directed the lawyer to assist the court regarding the same under the NAB Ordinance.

Pervaiz contended that the court announced the verdict on “the basis of assumption” and penned the verdict on the basis of generality not evidence.

The court had said Maryam Nawaz was a beneficial owner and also under the patronage of the PML-N leader, he pointed out, adding that it was also written that children were in most circumstances dependent on their father.

He recalled that the Lahore High Court had earlier acquitted a NAB suspect, Intelligence Bureau’s former brigadier Imtiaz, on the basis that the accountability watchdog had determined the value of his alleged properties without determining his income.

“The SC had also maintained this decision and did not give a differing judgment,” the PML-N counsel highlighted, adding that the IHC had also upheld the same in the Avenfield case against Maryam Nawaz.

Referring to this verdict, Pervaiz stated that the court had ruled that the prosecution did not have a single document to prove as evidence in the case.

Here, Justice Aurangzeb stated that the court had recently issued an order under which four categories needed to be proven pertaining to benaami properties or accounts.

For his part, the NAB prosecutor said the reference was filed due to the SC’s judgment to which the Justice Aurangzeb noted that the court’s understanding was that the accountability watchdog was compelled for file the reference.

The Avenfield reference pertains to the purchase of four flats in Avenfield House, Park Lane, London. It was among the three cases filed by NAB against the former premier and his children on the Supreme Court’s orders in its landmark July 28 Panamagate verdict.

The proceeding in the Avenfield reference had commenced in September 2017 and an accountability court had indicted Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar on October 19, 2017.

According to the JIT report submitted in the Panamagate case, the Sharifs had given contradictory statements about their London flats and found that the flats actually belonged to them since 1993.

It said Nawaz had distanced himself from the apartments and could not explain the time frame and procedure adopted for obtaining the possession of Avenfield apartments by his sons and was even uncertain about which son claimed the ownership of the flats now.

An accountability court in July 2018 had handed Nawaz 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and one year for not cooperating with NAB in the case, as well as a fine of £8m.

Last year, the IHC had acquitted Maryam and her spouse retired Capt Safdar of the charges levelled in the Avenfield apartments reference and set aside an accountability court’s July 2018 verdict.

Source: Dawn

In major relief, IHC acquits Nawaz Sharif in Avenfield reference

"God has exonerated us today," says PML-N supremo.

www.dawn.com

These crooked judges are the worst examples of boot polishers. I dare anyone to show the money trail to but these flats in London

 

[Cricket Warrior]

With such a pathetic and corrupt system we can't expect anything from our judiciary.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729918585898688910

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Absolute Banana republic. There is no other country collectively as corrupt.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Absolute Banana republic. There is no other country collectively as corrupt.

There is an old saying that everyone shares from the same plate.

That is what happening here in Pakistan.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday, filed a plea in accountability court seeking suspension of arrest warrants in Avenfield reference, ARY News reported.

An accountability court on July 11, 2018 issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Hussain and Hassan Nawaz, who were declared absconders in the Avenfield reference case.

The plea filed in the court stated that Hassan and Hussain Nawaz are scheduled to return to Pakistan on March 12 and urged the court to suspend the arrest warrants.

Judge Nasir Javed Rana said that notice will be issued on this plea. At this, the court issued notice to the investigation officer for tomorrow.

Both Hussain and Hassan, who are currently in London, were instructed to appear before the accountability court which sought to wind up references in the Avenfield reference case and other graft cases.

In a major relief for the PML-N, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) earlier acquitted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference.

Hassan, Hussain Nawaz move court against arrest warrants in Avenfield case

LAHORE: Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday, filed a plea in accountability court seeking suspension of

arynews.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

There is nothing happening. They will also get relief.

 

[FearlessRoar]

There is nothing happening. They will also get relief.

The accountability court has granted a reprieve to Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, the sons of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, by suspending the perpetual arrest warrants issued against them in connection with the Avenfield Apartments case.

The accountability court had earlier declared Hassan and Hussain Nawaz as proclaimed offenders in 2018 and had issued non-bailable perpetual arrest warrants against them. The case revolves around the ownership and acquisition of luxury apartments in London by the Sharif family.

Accountability court judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the reserved verdict on Thursday, revealing that the perpetual arrest warrants for the accused have been suspended until March 14.

The court had previously noted that during the years 1993, 1995, and 1996 when the Avenfield flats were allegedly purchased through offshore companies in London, Hassan, Hussain, and Maryam Nawaz were not financially sound.

Hassan and Hussain's lawyers, Qazi Misbah-ul-Hassan and Rana Irfan advocate, had appeared in the court before the decision was reserved. The defence argued that all other accused in the case had been acquitted by the high court in the reference. The lawyers asserted that on March 12, both Hassan and Hussain would return to Pakistan and voluntarily appear before the court. Two arrest warrants had already been suspended, and the accused were willing to surrender before the court.

Prosecutor Sohail Arif supported the idea of giving the accused an opportunity to appear in court. The decision to suspend the perpetual arrest warrants until March 14 provides a window for Hassan and Hussain Nawaz to present themselves before the accountability court.

Arrest warrants suspended for Nawaz's sons in Avenfield case | The Express Tribune

Hassan and Hussain Nawaz slated to return to Pakistan and voluntarily appear before the court on March 12

tribune.com.pk