- NAB will not challenge Maryam Nawaz’s acquittal
- The decision was made based on the IHC’s verdict
- The IHC exonerated Maryam Nawaz and Safdar
ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided not to challenge the acquittal of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz in the Supreme Court of Pakistan
The decision was made on the approval of Director General NAB, sources revealed. The decision was taken given in view the verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) exonerating Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retired) Safdar in the Avenfield reference case.
An accountability court had sentenced Maryam Nawaz to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of two million pounds, while Safdar was sentenced to one year imprisonment. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was awarded 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of million pounds.
In September, IHC acquitted Maryam Nawaz and Safdar in the corruption reference, in a major legal victory for the PML-N. A two-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the plea against the conviction.
The PML-N leader had moved the IHC to challenge the accountability court’s verdict. The presiding judge said the prosecution’s case might be valid but it failed to prove the allegations.
NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi said that the affidavit by Tariq Shafi was put on record, which mentioned the sale of the Gulf Steel Mills. He said the Supreme Court raised an objection on how the steel mills were established as Shafi failed to prove that he was a partner.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said that the investigation officer’s opinion cannot be taken as evidence. The judge said the JIT didn’t state any facts, but provided only gathered information.
Justice Farooq asked how the allegations were proven against the petitioners. He asked to prove Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif’s linked with the case of assets beyond means. The judge eventually acquitted both Maryam and Safdar in the case.
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