Sharif brothers reportedly discuss upcoming verdict in NAB references

Accountability court verdict to be announced on December 24

The one-on-one meeting between Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reportedly focused on the accountability court's verdict – to be announced on December 24 – in the two remaining corruption references against members of the Sharif family, reported Express News.

The private meeting between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and president was held at the Parliament House. Shehbaz, who was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Ashiana Housing Scheme case, is currently in the federal capital for a National Assembly session.



It is pertinent to note that accountability court Judge Arshad Malik on December 19 reserved judgment on the remaining corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in light of the Supreme Court’s Panamagate verdict.

The move came after the top court, irked over delayed proceedings, gave the accountability court December 24 deadline to announce the decision.

Previously, the accountability court had convicted the former premier, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar Awan in Avenfield reference and sentenced them to 10, seven and one year of rigorous imprisonment.

The sentence was later suspended by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The high court had observed that the accountability court verdict was based on “prima facie, tentative opinion”.  It found NAB to have failed to prove the corruption charges.



"The petitioners were alleged to have acquired Avenfield Apartments by corrupt, dishonest or illegal means." Yet, the accountability court in its judgment held that "Prosecution have not brought evidence in respect of Section 9 (a)(iv) NAO, 1999][4]. So the accused are acquitted under that section of law”

The petition filed by NAB challenging the IHC decision is currently being heard by an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.