LAHORE: PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday said the decision on Nawaz Sharif's case should be on legal, not political grounds. Commenting on Nawaz Sharif's request to delay the verdict on the Avenfield Properties corruption reference, Chaudhry reiterated his party chief Imran Khan's stance that the request should not be entertained. "The verdict on Avenfield Properties corruption reference should not be delayed. The justice system cannot wait for a single person and the law should be the same for the rich and poor alike," he said. He further said that Nawaz wants the decision on the case to be delayed. "The verdict on the case cannot be made in a political way; it should be made in the manner prescribed by the legislature." Chaudhry also condemned the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) decision to halt arrests of politicians facing corruption allegations till the General Election 2018. "NAB should not have double standards for politicians," he said. The PTI spokesperson also demanded that corruption allegations against Iftikhar Chaudhry and former army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani's brother should be pursued. "Both, Chaudhry and Kiyani's brother should be arrested. Has NAB only been established to probe into corruption allegations against politicians?" he said.<doc-sep>ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the Avenfield properties reference on Friday while his daughter Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million). The sentences will run concurrently, which means Nawaz will serve 10 years in prison, while Maryam seven. Additionally, Nawaz's son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar has been given a one year sentence without any fine. Accountability Court-I Judge Mohammad Bashir announced the verdict today after several delays since morning. Nawaz has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment under NAB ordinance Section 9(a)(v), which relates to owning assets disproportionate to known sources of income. The Section 9(a)(v) of the NAB ordinance states: “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. ]” On the other hand, Maryam has been sentenced to seven-year to prison for abetment. According to the 173-page long verdict, "Accused Maryam Nawaz aided, assisted, abetted, attempted and acted in conspiracy with her father accused Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who was holder of Public Office." Moreover, Maryam and Nawaz were given an additional year-long imprisonment for not cooperating during the investigation Nawaz's sons Hassan and Hussain who have been absconding in the case were declared as "proclaimed offenders" and the court ordered non-bailable perpetual warrants of arrest against them. The court has also ruled that the Avenfield apartments of the Sharif family, in their possession since 1993, shall be seized by the federal government. "Avenfield Apartments Nos 16, 16-a, 17 and 17-a stand forfeited to Federal Government within the meaning of 10(a) of NAO, 1999," according to the written verdict. The Avenfield properties reference was one of three filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) last year in light of the Supreme Court's verdict against Nawaz in the Panama Papers case. The reference pertains to the ownership of the Sharif family's apartments at Avenfield House, London. After the hearing, NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi said the accused have 10 days to file an appeal against the verdict. Accused acquitted under Section 9(a)(iv) of NAO Moreover, the court acquitted the accused under the Section 9(a)(iv) of NAO 1999 due to the failure of the prosecution to provide any "bright evidence" in this regard. "Prosecution have not bright evidence in respect of 9(a)(iv) NAO, 1999. So the accused are acquitted under that section of law," the verdict stated, adding "It was difficult to establish ownership of properties which was purchased through offshore companies formed in tax haven jurisdictions de to veils of secrecy." The Section 9(a)(iv) states: "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 by corrupt, dishonest, or illegal means, obtains or seeks to obtain for himself, or for his spouse or dependents or any other person, any property, valuable thing, or pecuniary advantage." Maryam, Safdar barred from elections Following the verdict, Maryam and Safdar stand barred from contesting the July general election from Lahore and Mansehra, respectively. According to the verdict, Maryam Nawaz will be disqualified for 10 years from holding public office after her seven-year jail terms ends. The Election Commission of Pakistan stated that Maryam's name will be removed from the ballot papers of the NA-127 constituency after which new ballot papers will be printed. 'Will return after wife regains consciousness' Nawaz Sharif has vowed to return to Pakistan after his wife regains consciousness. "It is my wish to speak to her [Kulsoom]. I [go to the hospital] every day with the hope that she regains consciousness and I am able to meet here. She has been my life partner for 45 years. This partnership is no ordinary partnership,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo while addressing a press conference sitting alongside his daughter Maryam Nawaz, who has been sentenced to a total of eight years in jail. All eyes on accountability court All eyes were set on the accountability court hearing the high-profile corruption cases against the former prime minister and his family. Strict security arrangements, including paramilitary personnel, were in place at the Federal Judicial Complex, where the court is located. The roads leading to the complex were also closed to traffic. Moreover, the district administration had imposed Section 144 in the capital to discourage mass gatherings. As the hearing went under way today, Judge Bashir heard Sharifs' request, submitted on Thursday, requesting the trial court to postpone the verdict till he is back in the country next week. After submitting Begum Kulsoom Nawaz's medical report, Maryam's counsel Amjad Pervez argued that the law stipulates the presence of the accused when the verdict is read out. After the prosecution opposed any delay at such a late stage of the trial, the judge reserved his verdict and adjourned the hearing for an hour. Later, the court dismissed Sharifs' plea and set 12:30pm as the time for announcing the verdict. However, that deadline was later extended thrice — 2:30pm, 3pm and 3:30pm — before it was finally read out after 4pm. The judge had called lawyers of both sides inside his chambers and disallowed the media. He then stated that the media will be called in when the judgment is being read out. Earlier, the judge, present inside his chamber, had issued the delay notices through the court staff but the 3:30 pm deadline was informed of by the judge himself. He explained that they have to make an appropriate number of photocopies of the judgment for distribution to the relevant parties. Safdar vows to stand firm Speaking to voters prior to the verdict, Safdar said he does not fear any verdict against him, adding that he will be exonerated in the court of public opinion. On Tuesday, the court had reserved its verdict and ordered all accused to ensure their presence in court when the verdict is read out today. Apart from Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar, Nawaz's sons are also accused in the case. They were declared proclaimed offenders last year owing to their no-show and will face a separate trial whenever they join the proceedings. The accused have been charged as per the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, according to which they face maximum jail terms of 14 years and/or a fine, each. The trial After the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz in the Panama Papers case on July 28, 2017, the NAB, in light of the verdict, filed three corruption references against the Sharif family in the accountability court. The trial against the Sharif family commenced on September 14, 2017, under the supervision of Supreme Court Justice Ijazul Ahsan, who was appointed a monitoring judge in the Panama case verdict. Nawaz, Maryam entering the court premises earlier this year. Photo: File During the course of the trial, spread over 107 hearings, a total of 18 prosecution witnesses recorded their statements, including the Panama case joint investigation team (JIT) head, Federal Investigation Agency's Wajid Zia. It was the Zia-led JIT's report which the Supreme Court used last year as a basis for Nawaz's disqualification and further investigation of the Sharif family's assets. After his statement was recorded, the defence counsels cross-examined Zia for around two weeks. The prosecution also recorded statements of two witnesses through video-link from London — private solicitor Akhtar Raja and forensic expert Robert Radley — whose expertise was utilised by the JIT during its probe. Nawaz and Maryam outside the court premises this year. Photo: File Nawaz and the other accused were asked 127 questions during their cross-examination, while no witnesses appeared in their defence.<doc-sep>Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the accountability court in Islamabad should delay announcing the verdict in the Avenfield properties reference till the time he is able to return to the country. Talking to reporters in London, the ex-prime minister said he wants to hear the judgement of the case while standing in the courtroom where he “endured more than 100 hearings” with his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Analysis: What next for Nawaz Sharif? Sharif said Pakistan has had a history of verdicts remaining "unnecessarily" reserved for months, hence delaying the judgement of the Avenfield case for a few days "considering an extremely sensitive matter" would not violate any requisite of justice or law. "I want to hear this judgement while standing in the courtroom, amidst my people [and] holding them as witnesses," he said, adding that his lawyer will submit a formal application in the court requesting it to delay the announcement of the verdict. Sharif said the mission he has taken up is not an easy one, but that he is ready to give any sacrifice for the sake of people's right to rule and to honour their vote. "I am not a military dictator who would run away in fear," the ousted prime minister said, adding that he will not disappoint the nation by showing any cowardice. "The people are going to announce the decision bigger than all decisions on July 25," he said in a reference to the general elections scheduled for later this month. Sharif further said "those with the jeep [symbol]" — a reference to dissidents and other independents contesting on the jeep symbol against the PML-N — and others impeding the people's rule "will become an example" after the poll. The former premier said he will "immediately" return to Pakistan as soon as his wife Kulsoom Nawaz's health condition improves and will face the consequences whether the verdict comes out in his favour or not. He said he wishes to see his wife conscious and talk to her before returning to the country. 'Who has held Pakistani media captive?' Sharif questioned whether media in Pakistan could be termed free under current circumstances. "Who has held the media captive? Why is the media not free in Pakistan?" he wondered, adding that he is ashamed by the kind of articles that are being written by global media about declining press freedom in the country. Read: PFUJ press freedom drive begins tomorrow "Who are these people who are censoring TV channels and newspapers?" he asked, claiming that attempts are also being made to block people's tweets. Sharif said media should not be a party to "the conspiracy to throttle press" in the country. Avenfield reference Sharif's statement comes a day after the accountability court reserved its judgment in the Avenfield properties reference. The had court said that the decision in the reference would be announced on Friday, July 6. The Avenfield reference was among those filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the former premier and his children on Supreme Court's orders given during the Panamagate case which disqualified Sharif. The NAB prosecutor has stated before the accountability court that Nawaz Sharif had acquired four apartments in Avenfield House, Park Lane, London. Sharif family insists that they had purchased the apartments through ‘legitimate’ financial resources. However, they have remained unable to disclose those resources before the accountability court or the Supreme Court. Besides Sharif, Maryam and son-in-law retired captain Mohammad Safdar, NAB had also nominated Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz — Sharif's sons — as accused in all three references.<doc-sep>
Web Desk 04:45 Shahbaz Sharif/PML-N rejects Avenfield reference verdict Reacting to the Avenfield verdict, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif rejected the accountability court order sentencing Nawaz Sharif to 10 year imprisonment. 04:25 Nawaz Sharid sentenced for 10 years in Avenfield reference Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been sentenced for 10 years, while his daughter Maryam Nawaz seven years, and Capt Safdar has been given 1 year prison term in Avenfield reference. Maryam Nawaz, who was a candidate from NA-127, has been disqualified from contesting elections. 04:05 More delay in Nawaz Sharif Avenfield reference verdict The verdict of Avenfield reference has been delayed once again. It was reported earlier that the judge is reading out the order but the journalists were not allowed in, however, court staff later informed the reporters that media will be permitted inside. 03:40 Judge Mohammad Bashir announcing verdict The judge is reading out the much-awaited order of Avenfield reference. 03:07 pm Nawaz Sharif's Avenfield corruption case verdict delayed again Verdict in Nawaz Sharif's Avenfield corruption case has been delayed again and shall be announced at 03:30 pm. Giving reasons of the delay, Judge Mohammad Bashir said court staff is busy in making photocopies of the verdict that is taking time. 03:00 pm Nawaz Sharif's Avenfield corruption case; verdict about to be announced Verdict in Nawaz Sharif's Avenfield corruption case is about to be announced shortly by Judge Mohammad Bashir. The court on Tuesday reserved its verdict in the Avenfield properties reference against deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar. 02:45 pm Maryam Nawaz and Ishaq Dar have reached Avenfield apartments, where they will hear the verdict with Nawaz Sharif. 02:30 pm The registrar of the court stated that the judgement will be announced by 03:00 pm. There was no information as to what caused the delay. 12:30 pm The accountability court has further delayed the announcement of verdict till 02:30 pm. 11:00 am Judge Mohammad Bashir rejected Nawaz Sharif's plea to delay the verdict in Avenfield case and remarked that the verdict would be announced at 12:30 pm. 10:40 am Commenting on the outcome of the verdict, senior journalist Suhail Warraich told Geo News that PML-N's election campaign will be affected badly in case the former prime minister is sentenced. 10:25 am Capt (retd) Safdar, who is a co-accused in Avenfield case, is busy in his election campaign in his hometown Mansehra. 09:56 am The verdict on Sharif family plea to delay the verdict has been reserved and would be announced in an hour. 09:44 am Judge Mohammad Bashir has resumed the hearing of Avenfield case. 09:35 am Although heavy security arrangements were in place, no senior PML-N leader other than Dr Asif Kirmani is present at the court. 09:15 am The Accountability court will announce the verdict at 09:30 am. 09:00 am Talking to reporters outside court, Maryam Nawaz counsel's Amjad Pervez said he was hopeful of a favourable verdict. When asked to comment on Capt Safdar, Pervez said he is not in contact with him and has no information whether Nawaz's son-in-law would attend today's hearing or not. On Monday, Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were given a two-day exemption from appearing in the court and ordered to ensure their presence in court when the verdict is read out today. The court had also declared Hassan and Hussain Nawaz proclaimed offender in the same reference. Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have been in London since June 14 to look after Kulsoom Nawaz, who is under intensive care there. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has requested the Accountability Court to delay the verdict in the Avenfield reference “for a few days only” as he wants to hear it in person. Nawaz and his family are facing three corruption cases in the accountability court after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed references against them in the light of the Supreme Court's verdict in the Panama Papers case last year.