The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Mayam Nawaz in the Avenfield case.
The verdict came following a hearing of Maryam’s appeal against the decision. A two-member IHC bench composed of Justices Amir Farooq and Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani handed down the verdict.
During the hearing Justice Farooq said none of the suspects in the case had to furnish comments. The onus to corroborate the case was on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He said the case may not be false but the bureau had failed to furnish evidence to furnish it.
Justice Farooq said the court could not present a verdict premised on mere hearsay. Maryam was not holding public office. An asset beyond means case is devoid of merit therefore, he said.
The bench presented a short order overturning Maryam’s seven-year-conviction following the conclusion of arguments.
An accountability court had convicted both Maryam and husband Captain (r) Safdar in the case. Maryam was handed down a seven-year sentence while Safdar was sentenced to a one-year term.
The PML-N vice president was convicted for facilitating crime. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was also handed down a 10-year sentence in the case.
Maryam told journalists at the court that she had thought of her father Nawaz when she heard the verdict. She said the Almighty had vindicated the PML-N supremo. Falsehood is bound to perish, she said.
Maryam said no politician had experienced the kind of witch hunt (in the name of accountability) that Nawaz had.
The PML-N vice president said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s entire career was premised on levelling allegations against Nawaz. The Almighty, she said, had exposed Khan as an defeated, conniving man.
She said Nawaz will return to Pakistan soon. She said Khan should answer why his politics was premised on lies.
The PML-N vice president also received a call from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulating her while speaking to journalists. Thanking her uncle, she congratulated him too.
