ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad accountability court temporarily halted the ongoing arrest warrants against Nawaz Sharif’s sons, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz, until March 14 in connection to the three corruption cases linked to the Panama Papers.
Represented by their counsel Qazi Misbahul Hassan, Hussain and Hassan filed a plea seeking the suspension of warrants issued against them in the Avenfield Apartments, Al-Azizia, and Flagship Investment cases.
Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the Accountability Court announced the decision today.
During the previous hearing, the judge considered the applications of Hussain and Hassan. Their counsel informed the court that they reside in Saudi Arabia and the UK, respectively, and were named as accused individuals in these cases alongside Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and retired Captain Safdar.
The counsel highlighted that the trial began while they were outside Pakistan and emphasized that they were not properly served with legal notices, arrest warrants, and proclamations.
He further mentioned that Hussain and Hassan intend to surrender before the court for trial proceedings. The counsel stated that both sons of the former prime minister are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on March 12 and requested the court to suspend their arrest warrants to facilitate their surrender.
Notably, Nawaz and Maryam were convicted in the Avenfield case shortly before the previous general election. Additionally, Nawaz was convicted in the Al-Azizia case in December 2018 but acquitted in the Flagship Investment case.
Following their convictions, Nawaz, Maryam, and her husband challenged the verdicts in the Avenfield case before the Islamabad High Court. Nawaz also challenged his conviction in the Al-Azizia case.
However, when Nawaz left the country and did not return, the IHC declared him a proclaimed offender. During his absence, Maryam and retired Capt Safdar continued pursuing the case, resulting in the IHC overturning their convictions.
Nawaz returned to Pakistan in October of the previous year, leading to the revival of his appeals against convictions. Eventually, the IHC nullified his convictions in both cases.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
