Pakistani court suspends Avenfield sentences, orders release of ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, Maryam and Safdar
Islamabad, Sept 19 (IBNS): A Pakistani court on Wednesday suspended ex- country's PM Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz’s jail term in connection with the Avenfield corruption reference.
Jail term of Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar was also suspended by the court.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb gave the judgment on petitions filed by Nawaz, Maryam and Capt (retd) Safdar challenging the Avenfield verdict against them, reported Geo News.
The three persons, including the former PM, were handed the sentence by accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir on July 6.
The court had sentenced Nawaz, Maryam and Capt (retd) Safdar for 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in the Avenfield properties reference.
Meanwhile, the court on Wednesday ordered the release of the trio.
Ordering their release, the two-judge bench directed the former premier, his daughter and son-in-law to submit bail bonds worth Rs0.5 million each, reported Geo News.
The sentences will remain suspended until the final adjudication of the appeals is filed by the petitioners.
A large number of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders attended the court for the crucial hearing on their leader's sentencing.
Sources have informed Geo News that if the former premier, his daughter and son-in-law are released today, they will be taken to Lahore via a special flight.
Nawaz and his daughter were arrested on July 13 after they reached Pakistan from London.
Image: Maryam Twitter page
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