Nawaz, Maryam to challenge conviction in IHC today

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz will challenge the accountability court verdict in Avenfield case today in the Islamabad High Court later today.

On Sunday evening, NAB arrested Capt (retd) Safdar in Rawalpindi where he led a rally of PML-N supporters for hours and later shifted him to its regional office in the twin cities.

The PML-N leader requested NAB officials to let him reach a nearby party office along the rally where he said he would formally surrender. Afterwards, the officials escorted him up to the PML-N office where he was finally taken into custody.

Maryam had yesterday announced to return home with her father amid clouds of uncertainty engulfing the party following the accountability court verdict. She sounded unfazed over looming NAB arrest and said she along with Mr. Sharif were ready to face arrest, claiming they weren’t involved in any corruption as framed in the charges.

On July 6, the PML-N supreme leader was awarded 10 years in prison, 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).

The former premier, who has been in London, last week discussed the legal recourse after the conviction with his legal team via telephone from the British capital.

It was reported that the lawyers suggested Sharif and his daughter to return within a period of ten days as it will be difficult for them to get relief from courts if they don’t return due to legal complications.