Avenfield case verdict: IHC approves Sharifs' appeals for hearing in July's last week

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday accepted the appeals of convicted PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Capt. (Retd) Safdar challenging the verdict of an accountability court in Avenfield case.

IHC has issued a written order stipulating that the appeals of Sharif family have been approved for a preliminary hearing in the court.

According to the order, notice has been sent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) while directions are given to prepare a volume of all appeals of Sharif family.

The hearing will be set after the court holidays are over, in the last week of July, the order reads.

NAB has been asked by the court to present the counter arguments against the appeals and appoint a representative to appear at the next hearing.

At the onset of hearing, Nawaz Sharif’s legal counsel Khawaja Haris maintained that the accused have been convicted against law.

The Islamabad High Court also issued certified copies of appeals and petitions, filed by the Sharif family against their convictions in the Avenfield properties reference, to the legal team of Sharif family as they had applied for the certified copies of all documents.

An accountability court, in Avenfield corruption reference, awarded 10 years prison term to the PML-N supreme leader, while his daughter Maryam and her spouse Capt. Safdar were handed seven years’ and one year’s prison term, respectively.

Judge Muhammad Bashir ordered forfeiture of their properties in the Avenfield Apartments and Park Lane of London. He imposed a fine of £8 million (approximately Rs1,292m) on the former premier and £2 million (approximately Rs323m) on his daughter.

Besides, three convicts were awarded an additional one-year imprisonment, which will run concurrently for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).