NAB appeals IHC to reject Maryam Nawaz’s new acquittal plea

Islamabad: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday appealed to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to reject the fresh application filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz for her acquittal in the Avenfield reference along with an exemplary fine, saying it was inadmissible for the hearing.

The NAB in its reply submitted before the IHC said that the acquittal plea filed by Maryam Nawaz is not fit for hearing and should be rejected with exemplary fines imposed against the petitioner.

“The Supreme Court of Pakistan has already decided over allegations in the acquittal plea and later the accountability court also fulfilled legal merits while deciding the Avenfield case,” it said.

In her reply submitted to the IHC, the bureau has contended that Maryam’s application is devoid of facts. “The Supreme Court (SC) has already given its judgment on the allegations levelled in her petition, and the accountability court had pronounced its verdict in the reference after completing all the legal formalities. Similarly, the defendant was given a patient hearing at the trial court as well,” the NAB writes in its reply.

The anti-corruption watchdog goes on to add that not only that Maryam’s father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and her two brothers, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz Sharif are also ‘proclaimed offenders’ since they have not given to the court the money trail of their London flats. “Will Nawaz Sharif please tell us how he purchased these flats and how did he send money to the UK for the purpose?” the NAB questions.         

It is also mentioned in the reply that the SC had appointed a judge to see to it that its verdict in the Avenfield reference was implemented in letter and spirit. 

Furthermore, the bureau argues that PML-N vice president’s plea for acquittal amounts to deceiving the IHC. “Maryam’s allegations against the judge, appointed as a ‘referee’ in the reference, fall in the category of contempt of court, and that the integrity of the judge could be ascertained from the fact that he is still a serving judge,” the NAB concludes.