Nawaz Sharif convicted – ordered confinement for 7 years in Al-Azizia reference, acquitted in Flagship reference

• Maryam Nawaz’s return has put pressure on Govt. while motivated PML-N workers

• PTI led Govt. have made a deal to soften the challenges for Sharif Family, sources

• NAB left technical flaws in the trial which will soon lead to acquittal of Nawaz Sharif in Al-Azizia reference too, analysts

• Nawaz Sharif after announcement of court verdicts filed application for confinement in ‘Kot Lakhpat’ Jail instead of ‘Adiala’ which is approved.

• No handcuffs for PML-N Leader since he is not a university professor but a politician – law is not equal for all

ISLAMABAD (December 24, 2018): Accountability Court’s Hon. Judge Arshad Malik today in his final order convicted Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif seven years in jail and a fine of $2.5 million in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, while acquitted him in the Flagship Investments reference.

A very high security and armoured vehicles are standing by outside the court premises to transport the Nawaz Sharif to prison.

The judgements already reserved on December 19^th were expected to be announced between 9am to 10am today – but time was given for Nawaz Sharif to appear before the Hon. Court as he reached the court late and in his presence the verdicts were announced.

Accountability Court’s Hon. Judge Arshad Malik while reading out the short order said that there was no case against Nawaz in the Flagship reference. He was indicted under Section 9(a)(v) of the National Accountability Ordinance in the Al-Azizia reference.

Section 9(a)(v) says: “A holder of a public office, or any other person, is said to commit or to have committed the offence of corruption and corrupt practices if he or any of his dependents or benamidar owns, possesses, or has acquired right or title in any assets or holds irrevocable power of attorney in respect of any assets or pecuniary resources disproportionate to his known sources of income, which he cannot reasonably account for, or maintains a standard of living beyond that which is commensurate with his sources of income.”

Entry to the accountability court had been restricted to only those having permission of the registrar.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal, spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb and veteran politician Javed Hashmi arrived at court today and were permitted to enter the premises. Other leaders, including former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, were not allowed to enter.

Security has been beefed up around the judicial complex, with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed around the building and along roads leading to the court.

Although Section 144 has been imposed in the capital, the Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations have decided that there will be no blockade at the entry points of the capital, and security officials will only ensure strict checking.

Nawaz Sharif will appeal in the Islamabad High Court against the verdict in Al-Azizia reference as per sources, while NAB has announced to file appeal against his acquittal in Flagship reference.