LAHORE: Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, the sons of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, have recently arrived in Lahore after an accountability court suspended their arrest warrants. Upon their arrival, Nawaz personally welcomed his sons at their Jati Umrah residence.
The decision to suspend the arrest warrants in the Al-Azizia, Flagship, and Avenfield cases was delivered by accountability court Judge Nasir Javed Rana, who reserved the verdict earlier. This reprieve extends until March 14, allowing the Nawaz brothers a temporary respite from the warrants issued seven years ago, designating them as absconders.
This development transpired following a plea filed by their lawyer, Qazi Misbah, seeking the suspension of the warrants, timed with the brothers’ scheduled return to Pakistan on March 12. The legal proceedings involved the presence of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors Sardar Muzaffar, Usman Masood, and Sohail Arif, who engaged in arguments alongside Misbah.
The courtroom discussions also brought forth information about the Toshakhana reference, implicating Nawaz, PPP’s Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, and former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. The case revolves around allegations of violating Toshakhana rules by retaining various vehicles.
Arif, the NAB prosecutor, emphasized the necessity for the accused to appear in court, underscoring the legal requirement. He argued that the purpose of the arrest warrant is to ensure the presence of the accused before the accountability court.
After a thorough exchange of arguments from both sides, the accountability court reserved its decision on the petitions, leaving the outcome pending.
