IHC acquits Nawaz Sharif in Al-Azizia reference

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reversed the conviction of PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference. This development significantly bolsters Sharif’s aspirations to become the country’s prime minister for the fourth time.

Having returned to Pakistan in October after four years of self-imposed exile in London, Sharif aims to qualify for the elections scheduled for February 8, 2024, contingent on the removal of a lifelong ban on holding any public office.

In 2018, Sharif was convicted on corruption charges related to the establishment of Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment (HME) in Saudi Arabia, as he failed to justify the source of funds.

The Islamabad High Court delivered its reserved verdict after hearing arguments from both defense and prosecution attorneys.

Expressing concern over what he deemed “sham cases” against a former prime minister, senior lawyer Irfan Qadir called for an apology from the judges who initially convicted Nawaz Sharif.

It is noteworthy that despite the case lingering since 2017, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor failed to present evidence of assets beyond means against Sharif.

The reference was filed based on directives from the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), formed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s instructions following the Panama verdict.

In a December 24, 2018, ruling, an accountability court sentenced Sharif to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of 2.5 million pounds in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference.

Sharif appealed the decision, seeking the annulment of imprisonment, fines, and conviction. Additionally, Sharif was recently acquitted in the Avenfield Apartments reference.

The Islamabad High Court, presided over by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard Sharif’s appeal against the Al-Azizia conviction and NAB’s plea to extend his imprisonment.

During the proceedings, the prosecution’s primary witness, Wajid Zia, admitted to a lack of evidence regarding Sharif’s children’s dependency on him. Sharif’s legal counsel argued that evidence from one case should not be applied to another, emphasizing the prosecution’s responsibility to assess Sharif’s income and assets.

Responding to the defense, the NAB prosecutor asserted that references were filed as per the Supreme Court’s directions, and charges against Sharif were based on allegations of corrupt practices.

The court rejected NAB’s request to remand the case to the trial court and approved Sharif’s appeal against the conviction.

The Al-Azizia reference involved claims that Sharif’s son, Hussain, received funds to establish the steel conglomerate, with the JIT contending that Nawaz Sharif was the real owner.

However, during the proceedings, NAB failed to substantiate its claims with documentary evidence, shifting the burden of proof onto the accused.