Nawaz, Maryam file reply to NAB plea challenging IHC's suspension of sentences

LAHORE: Former premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law Saturday filed a reply in the Supreme Court to National Accountability Bureau's plea challenging Islamabad High Court's suspension of their sentences in the Avenfield properties case.

The former premier, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar, in their reply, requested the Supreme Court to maintain the high court's verdict of suspension of their sentences.

"The [IHC's] verdict is based on the facts and the NAB has failed to prove its stance," they said in their reply.

Last month, the NAB had challenged IHC's suspension of sentences given to Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar in the Supreme Court.

In its petition, the anti-graft body had stated that the high court did not correctly examine the evidence in the case. It had moved the apex court to declare the IHC’s Sept 19 verdict null and void.

The IHC had on Sept 19 suspended sentences handed to the three in the Avenfield corruption reference and ordered their release.

Justice Athar Minallah had read the judgment and suspended the sentences handed to the Nawaz and others by accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir on July 6.

Nawaz, Maryam and Capt (retd) Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in prison in the Avenfield properties reference.

Ordering their release, the two-judge bench had directed the former premier, his daughter and son-in-law to submit bail bonds worth Rs0.5 million each.