ISLAMABAD: Four years after their conviction, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar were acquitted in Avenfield properties corruption reference after Islamabad High Court (IHC) overturned July 2018 verdict. In a brief order court said, “For reasons to be recorded later, instant appeal is allowed and judgment dated July 6, 2018 is set aside.”

It added that Maryam and Captain Safdar’s convictions have been set aside and they have been acquitted of charges in reference. A two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over hearing. During hearing, Justice Kiyani remarked that opinion of investigating officer could not be considered as evidence. “Joint investigation team did not present any fact, it just collected information,” he observed. Justice Kayani also inquired about other documents prosecution had produced apart from oral statements. “What is position of Nawaz Sharif regarding this case?” judge asked, to which Muzaffar replied that Nawaz’s position was that he had no relation to property. Court remarked that if Nawaz maintained that he had no link, then prosecution had to prove it. Court observed that Muzaffar’s statements were contradictory, adding that NAB prosecutor had said at previous hearing that Maryam had no role in purchasing properties. “Usman Cheema clearly said that Maryam had nothing to do with properties in 1993.” At one point, Justice Farooq observed that Sharif family’s stance was that they had bought properties in 2006. “Despite their admission, Nawaz is not related to case,” he remarked. Justice Kayani also observed that on basis of these documents, NAB had prepared entire case against Maryam.

.Justice Farooq remarked that a property being in a daughter’s name did not necessarily mean that it was owned by father. NAB prosecutor contended that Sharif family had not submitted any documents in its defence. At that, Justice Farooq said, “Why should they have presented any documents? It was not their job. NAB had to prove case against them.” Justice Kayani added, “They should have stood silently.

They should not have said anything.” “If they admit while standing in rostrum that they owned properties, even then prosecution has to prove case against them,” Justice Farooq added. He said that NAB’s case may be valid, but it had failed to prove it. He told NAB to show documents that proved property trail to be wrong.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 30 2022

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