Maryam Nawaz appears before IHC in Avenfield reference case

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain retired Mohammad Safdar on Tuesday appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

A division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani is hearing the appeals of Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield reference.

The bench will also take up an appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the acquittal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship reference as well as appeals against his conviction in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield property references.

Maryam travelled to Islamabad from Murree and was welcomed by hundreds of party workers who raised slogans and showered her with rose petals. Several PML-N leaders including party leaders Pervaiz Rashid and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were also present.

Speaking to the media before the hearing, Maryam said that opposition parties should work together to take action against the government. She said the All Parties Conference (APC) will reveal whether the PPP was with their party.

Regarding the health of Nawaz Sharif, she said no one would want to stay away from the country but his treatment was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. She added that she wants her father to complete his treatment and return to Pakistan.

A large number of police officials have been deployed to ensure security at the high court. Police said only lawyers and media representatives are allowed to enter the court premises.

The three references — the Avenfield reference, the Flagship reference and the Al-Azizia reference — are part of the Panama Papers leak case. The apex court had disqualified Nawaz Sharif as prime minister and directed NAB to file three references against the Sharif family.

On July 6, 2018, accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir convicted Nawaz, Maryam and Capt Safdar in the Avenfield reference. The former prime minister was handed ten years jail sentence for owning assets beyond known income.

Maryam was given seven years while her husband was given one year jail time for not cooperating with NAB. The Sharif family members returned to Pakistan and were imprisoned but were released from Adiala jail in September after the IHC had suspended their prison sentences in the Avenfield reference.