By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was ousted on July 28 last , has been awarded 10 years imprisonment in London flats case.
The verdict given by anti-graft court, also known as National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court is going to have long lasting effect on Pakistan’s politics as this development may change the mood of the voters in the July 25 elections.
According to media reports, his daughter Maryam Nawaz has been handed 8-year and son-in-law Capt (rtd) one year sentence of imprisonment.
The NAB Court has imposed a fine of 8 million pounds one Nawaz Sharif while Maryam will have to pay a fine of 2 million pounds (Rs322 million).
The court has ordered that the Avenfield apartments be seized and handed over to Pakistan government.
Nawaz Sharif’s sons-Hassan and Hussain Nawaz have been declared absconders and the NAB prosecutor has said that they will be brought back to Pakistan with the help of Interpol.
Maryam has been disqualified from contesting the elections from Lahore’s National Assembly constituency NA-127.
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has expressed disappointment over the verdict.
“ We will go to the court of the people and muster their support ,” President of PML (N) and brother of Nawaz Sharif told a press conference in eastern city of Lahore.
He said that the people of Pakistan would give a verdict in favour of Nawaz Sharif in July 25 general elections.
“Verdict is an attempt to influence the July 25 elections,” Shahbaz Sharif said.
Nawaz and his family have been facing trial before the accountability court for the last nine months. Three corruption references were initiated against them after the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif for life from holding public office.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf, the key rival of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has welcomed the decision, terming it a milestone in curbing the scourge of corruption in the South Asian country.
