Islamabad High Court to release former PM Nawaz Sharif

His daughter Mariam and her husband will also be released. Sharif was convicted in connection with the purchase of London luxury apartments. For the court, actual ownership has not been proven.

Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday suspended the sentences handed down to former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar.

Sharif was sent to prison two months ago to serve a ten-year sentence in connection with luxury flats in Avenfield House, London. The judges found him guilty of corruption following revelations in the Panama Papers scandal.

It is still unclear whether the former prime minister will be released today or tomorrow; however, his supporters are already active on social media, welcoming the decision.

Following his conviction, Sharif was disqualified last year from holding political office and could not run in July’s elections, won by Imran Khan, the former cricket star.

For many, Khan’s victory was expected without his main rival, Sharif, the charismatic leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Today Justice Athar Minallah said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), “after conducting thorough investigation, couldn't bring any evidence of Nawaz Sharif's ownership of the Avenfield apartments” and its argument on “mere presumption".

• pakistan
• islamabad
• high court
• nawaz sharif
• avenfield house