Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam to be released, As Pak court suspends sentence

Pakistan Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ordered the release of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Sharif in corruption charges. After the judgment,  PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said, the justice has been served. We are thankful to God and hopeful the justice will prevail in the cases, report GEO TV.

Senior Party leader Ahsan Iqbal also expressed his satisfaction on IHC’s decision to suspend the Sharif family’s sentences and extended felicitation to the people of Pakistan after the verdict was delivered.

People from all provinces of the country prayed for Nawaz Sharif’s release,” he quoted as saying to GEO TV. “I congratulate the millions of Pakistanis on this decision.”  Islamabad High Court has reportedly suspended the 10-year sentence for Mr Sharif and the seven-year term awarded to his daughter Maryam over corrupt practices linked to his family’s ownership of upscale London flats.

The judgment was delivered by a two-judge bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb on petitions filed by Nawaz, Maryam and Capt (retd) Safdar challenging the Avenfield verdict against them.

While suspending their sentence, the two-judge bench directed Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam and son-in-law to submit bail bonds worth Rs0.5 million each.

Maryam Sharif presumed political heir, was awarded to seven years in prison on related charges. Both said they had broken no law and there was no proof the residences were purchased with money from corruption.

According to GEO TV, “The father and daughter left Kulsoom’s bedside to return to Pakistan to rally their followers ahead of a July 25 general election. Both were arrested on arrival and have been imprisoned since.”

Mr Sharif’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which had been in power for five years, lost to the party of former cricket star Imran Khan.

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