Court saves Nawaz in Flagship case, gives 7 years jail time in Al-Azizia reference

The accountability court found deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif guilty in the Al-Azizia reference and awarded him seven years jail time.

Announcing his verdict Judge Arshad Malik convicted Nawaz in the Al-Azizia reference, while acquitting him in the Flagship reference. The court has indicted Nawaz under Section 9(a)(v) of the National Accountability Ordinance in the Al-Azizia reference.

Along with the jail term, the court has also slapped Nawaz with a fine of Rs1.5 billion. Following the verdict, Nawaz was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). According to orders passed by the accountability court, Nawaz will be taken to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail instead of Adiala Jail.

Nawaz's lawyer had filed an appeal, requesting the court to transport his client to Lahore's jail instead of Adiala Jail. The court accepted his requested and issued directives to send Nawaz to Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Security around and inside the court was tight, while entry to the court has been restricted. Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and supporters were gathered outside the court to show support to their party Quaid.

Nawaz arrived in Islamabad from Lahore on Sunday, and also met his brother, the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly and the PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif at the Ministers’ Enclave. The brothers decided that legal action would be taken  if the verdict is not in Nawaz's favor.

On December 19, the accountability court Judge Malik had reserved his verdict against the Sharif family. On December 7, the Supreme Court (SC) had given the accountability court its last extension to wrap up the  two remaining references against the Sharif family. The SC had given the court time till December 24 to announce its verdict regarding the corruption cases.

Accountability court reserves verdict in Al-Azizia, Flagship references

Nawaz, Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar have already been convicted in the Avenfield reference case. The trio was awarded 10, seven and 1 year of jail sentences respectively. However, they were released after the Islamabad High Court suspended their jail sentences.

Nawaz's sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz were also accused in the two remaining corruption references. However, due to their continuous absence, the accountability court declared them absconders.