Nawaz Sharif appeals in Al Azizia and Avenfield property references dismissed

Nawaz Sharif appeals in Al Azizia and Avenfield property references dismissed.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday dismissed two appeals of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif against his imprisonment sentences in Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield Property references.

The IHC dismissed Nawaz Sharif’s appeals in Al Azizia and Avenfield property references

The court also upheld the decisions of accountability court Islamabad, for handing 11 year and seven year jail in Avenfield property and Al-Azizia Steel Mills references, respectively.

Meanwhile, the court 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.”

Meanwhile, a division bench of IHC, comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani, issued a nine-pages judgment.

The bench had earlier reserved judgment after listening the arguments from NAB prosecutor and amicus curiae.

Fair trial provided

Meanwhile, 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.”

GTV