ISLAMABAD: In a landmark decision today, the Islamabad High Court acquitted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference case, marking a significant turn of events in the country’s political landscape.
The IHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, heard the appeal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference. This same bench had previously acquitted Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference on November 29.
During the proceedings, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer, Amjad Parvez, referred to the Panama case in his arguments. Parvez highlighted that NAB’s key witness, Wajid Zia, admitted their failure to gather any evidence against Nawaz Sharif regarding the matter in question. He characterized Nawaz Sharif’s conviction in the Al-Azizia reference as being contrary to the law.
Nawaz Sharif had been convicted by the accountability court in both the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references. However, earlier in the week, the IHC acquitted him in the Avenfield reference.
In the Avenfield case, Nawaz Sharif received a 10-year jail term with an eight million Pounds fine, while in the Al-Azizia reference, he was sentenced to seven years in prison, along with a fine of Rs1.5 billion and US$25 million. Additionally, the court had disqualified him from holding public office for 10 years.
In 2019, the Lahore High Court (LHC) suspended his sentence in the Al-Azizia reference on medical grounds, allowing him to travel to London for medical treatment. However, in December 2020, the IHC declared him a proclaimed offender in both cases.
Upon his return from the UK, Nawaz Sharif filed two separate applications seeking the reinstatement of his appeals against the convictions in both references.
