Nawaz sentence in Al-Aziza reference suspended

The caretaker Punjab government suspended on Tuesday the sentence awarded to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Aziza graft reference.

The suspension of the sentence was granted on Nawaz’s request to the provincial government for the suspension of the sentence under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) – the legal provision pertaining to commutations, suspensions and remissions of sentences.

The interim provincial cabinet accepted Nawaz’s request after hearing arguments presented by his lawyers Azam Nazir Tarrar and Amjad Pervez via a video link. The caretaker government said it took the decision using its constitutional powers.

Nawaz was convicted in the Al-Aziza Steel Mills graft reference on December 24, 2018. He was handed a seven-year prison term and fined Rs1.5 billion and $25 million. He had left for London in 2019 on medical grounds and returned to the country on October 21.

The former prime minister was also convicted in the Avenfield reference in 2018. After arriving in Pakistan, Nawaz had approached the Islamabad High Court, seeking reinstatement of his appeals against his conviction in both Avenfield and Al-Aziza references.

Read A look at Nawaz’s nine-point agenda

Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir revoked the perpetual arrest warrant against Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana reference. Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who was also implicated in the case, made an appearance in court. Notably, the court granted former president Asif Zardari a one-time exemption from attending the proceedings.

During the proceedings at the IHC, the court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) concerning Nawaz's appeals and extended his bail until Thursday. Nawaz appeared in court alongside a team of legal representatives and senior party leaders.

Nawaz's journey to the federal capital from the hill resort of Murree was conducted under tight security, involving several vehicle changes between court appearances. He received VIP protocol throughout the day.

Security arrangements for Nawaz were extensive, starting from Murree and extending to the Phalgran Toll Plaza. There, the ATS squad vehicle and Islamabad police vehicles joined the security detail, escorting Nawaz to the Ministers Enclave.

After a brief stopover at the Ministers Enclave, Nawaz proceeded to the accountability court in Islamabad, accompanied by central PML-N leadership. His choice of vehicle changed once again upon returning from the accountability court as he headed to the IHC.

Following his appearance at the IHC and the grant of bail, Nawaz returned to the Ministers Enclave, and about an hour later, he left for Murree.

(WITH INPUT FROM USAMA IQBAL)