The interim government of Punjab has reportedly invoked its authority under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code to suspend the sentence of Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference.

This particular section empowers the government to suspend the sentence of a convicted individual.

Notably, Nawaz Sharif’s sentence was previously suspended in 2019 when he traveled to London for medical treatment.

Punjab’s Information Minister, Amir Mir, explained that the government had utilized its constitutional authority to suspend Nawaz Sharif’s sentence.

However, he clarified that the government’s action only involves a temporary suspension and does not completely end the sentence.

In December 2018, an accountability court had sentenced Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case.

Additionally, a fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million was imposed, and he was disqualified from holding public office for 10 years, which would take effect after serving the seven-year jail term.