ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday dismissed two appeals of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif against his conviction in Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield Property references.
The court also upheld the decisions of accountability court Islamabad, for handing 10 years and 7 years imprisonment in Avenfield property and Al-Azizia Steel Mills references, respectively.
The IHC order read: “Since appellant is fugitive from law, hence has lost his right of audience before this court and we are left with no choice except to dismiss his appeals. The instant appeal is dismissed. Appellant may file an application before this court, as and when he surrenders or is captured by the authorities, for decision of the appeal on merits. Needless to observe that the said application, if and when is made, shall be decided in accordance with law.”
A division bench of Islamabad High Court, comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani, issued a nine-pages judgment this day, which the bench had reserved last day after listening the arguments from NAB prosecutor and amicus curiae. The court order said: “The appellant was provided fair trial and now has absconded from justice at the time of hearing of appeal.
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was provided a fair trial inasmuch as learned trial court provided him opportunity of hearing as well as cross-examining the prosecution witnesses and only after the proper trial, his conviction was recorded; he despite being on bail, proceeded abroad and did not appear before this court and without any justification, remained absent on a number of dates.
Hence this court was left with no option but to follow the procedure as provided in Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 and declare him as fugitive from law.” The former prime minister was sentenced a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the Avenfield properties reference while the trial court announced seven-year jail to Nawaz Sharif along with Rs1.5 billion and $25 million in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference.
Mian Nawaz Sharif had filed appeals to IHC against the decision of accountability court. The IHC suspended the verdict in Avenfield property reference and later granted bail to Nawaz Sharif in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, the accused skipped multiple hearings deliberately and didn’t surrender despite repeated court notices. Subsequently, IHC declared Nawaz Sharif fugitive on continuous disappearance and now finally dismissed his appeals.
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