Petitions seeking to annul Sharifs' sentences in Avenfield verdict rejected

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday dismissed the petitions filed against the conviction of former premier Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain (Retd) Safdar in Avenfield properties case. 

Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Safdar had appealed against their sentences in the high court. The petitioners had also requested the court to declare the NAB ordinance null and void.

However, after listening to the arguments from the petitioners and National Accountability Bureau’s counsels, LHC dismissed the petitions.

As per LHC’s verdict, NAB ordinance has been functional even after passage of the 18th amendment in the constitution.

Nawaz Sharif was arrested on July 13 along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif when the duo returned to the country from London. The arrest was in compliance with July 6 court order, convicting them in the Avenfield properties reference.

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 jail 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).

In the light of the Supreme Court’s verdict in Panama case, NAB was directed to file three corruption references against Sharif family.

After concluding Avenfield properties reference, the court’s proceeding on remaining two references – Al-Azizia Mill and Flagship Investment – is ongoing at the accountability court under judge Arshad Malik’s supervision.