The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield reference, nullifying the conviction handed to them in 2018 by an accountability court.
A two-member bench, comprising of Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, presided over today’s hearing during which the court heard arguments from both sides.
Former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif was handed 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and one year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Meanwhile, Maryam was given 7 years for abetment after she was found “Instrumental in concealment of the properties of her father” and one year for non-cooperation with the bureau.
Safdar was given one year jail time — for not cooperating with NAB, and aiding and abetting Nawaz and Maryam.
Congratulating Maryam and Capt Safdar, PM Shehbaz tweeted, “The edifice of lies, slander & character assassination has come crumbling down today.”
“Maryam Nawaz’s acquittal in the Avenfield Reference is a slap in the face of so-called accountability system that was employed to target Sharif family,” tweeted the PM.
Maryam also received a phone call from her father, she congratulated him for the win.
Later, talking to the media, Maryam said that she was thankful to Allah for making Nawaz and her proud today.
Maryam asked PTI Chairman Imran Khan what would he do now as he has been proven “a liar” and “a conspirator”, while Nawaz has come out on top.
Maryam told Khan that he is a “helpless” person now and whether or not he decides to answer for his deeds, history will ensure that you answer for it.
In response to a question that the case was registered against her before PTI came into power and that some other powers were behind it, Maryam said: “Who was the beneficiary of all this? Had Nawaz remained here, then even in three lifetimes, Imran could not have come into power.”
