Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was acquitted in two corruption charges on Wednesday (Nov 29), providing a major relief to the leader ahead who is seeking to run for the top post in next year’s general elections.

The 73-year-old chief of&nbsp;the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)&nbsp;party had filed pleas in the Islamabad High Court, challenging his conviction in the Avenfield property and Al-Azizia cases.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb pronounced the verdict, overturning Nawaz’s conviction.

The proceedings went around for at least two hours before the judges announced the verdict.

<h2>Nawaz thanks God for positive verdict&nbsp;</h2>

Talking to journalists outside the court after his major legal victory, Nawaz — a three-time prime minister eyeing his fourth term in next year’s general elections — said, “I had left it up to Allah. In Al-Azizia [Steel Mills corruption reference] also, I’ve also left my matters up to Allah,” reports Geo News.

Separately, in a&nbsp;post&nbsp;on X, Maryam Nawaz, daughter of the ex-PM, that the verdict showed how “God vindicated those who put their unwavering trust in him”.

Last year, the IHC had acquitted Maryam and her spouse retired Capt Safdar of the charges levelled in the Avenfield apartments reference and set aside an accountability court’s July 2018&nbsp;verdict.

Sharif was accused of keeping four flats of Avenfield House —an apartment block in Park Lane, London— through illegal sources.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB)—the anti-corruption watchdog—had accused the Sharifs of purchasing the flats with money over and above their known sources of income.

<h2>Ex-PM's downfall began in 2018</h2>

A trial court on July 6, 2018, sentenced Nawaz to 10 years in jail upon conviction along with a £8 million fine (approximately Rs1.3 billion), in the Avenfield corruption case.

An additional year of jail sentence was further added for not cooperating with NAB, both of them to be served concurrently.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-to-not-contest-pti-intra-party-polls-gohar-khan-roped-in-as-temporary-arrangement-664295">Imran to not contest PTI intra-party polls, Gohar Khan roped in as 'temporary arrangement'</a>

While serving the sentence in the Al-Azizia case, Nawaz was diagnosed with an immune system disorder and was allowed to travel abroad in 2019 for treatment as per doctors' advice.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/open-trial-of-jailed-former-pak-pm-imran-khan-to-be-held-on-friday-664048">Open trial of jailed former Pak PM Imran Khan to be held on Friday</a>

But he didn’t return and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender in both cases in December 2020 by the IHC.

The former premiere came back last month after nearly four years of self-exile and his appeals were revived.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was acquitted in two corruption charges on Wednesday (Nov 29), providing a major relief to the leader ahead who is seeking to run for the top post in next year’s general elections.

Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was acquitted in two corruption charges on Wednesday (Nov 29), providing a major relief to the leader ahead who is seeking to run for the top post in next year’s general elections. The 73-year-old chief of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party had filed pleas in the Islamabad High Court, challenging his conviction in the Avenfield property and Al-Azizia cases. A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb pronounced the verdict, overturning Nawaz’s conviction. The proceedings went around for at least two hours before the judges announced the verdict. Nawaz thanks God for positive verdict Talking to journalists outside the court after his major legal victory, Nawaz — a three-time prime minister eyeing his fourth term in next year’s general elections — said, “I had left it up to Allah. In Al-Azizia [Steel Mills corruption reference] also, I’ve also left my matters up to Allah,” reports Geo News. Separately, in a post on X, Maryam Nawaz, daughter of the ex-PM, that the verdict showed how “God vindicated those who put their unwavering trust in him”. Last year, the IHC had acquitted Maryam and her spouse retired Capt Safdar of the charges levelled in the Avenfield apartments reference and set aside an accountability court’s July 2018 verdict. Sharif was accused of keeping four flats of Avenfield House —an apartment block in Park Lane, London— through illegal sources. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB)—the anti-corruption watchdog—had accused the Sharifs of purchasing the flats with money over and above their known sources of income. Ex-PM's downfall began in 2018 A trial court on July 6, 2018, sentenced Nawaz to 10 years in jail upon conviction along with a £8 million fine (approximately Rs1.3 billion), in the Avenfield corruption case. An additional year of jail sentence was further added for not cooperating with NAB, both of them to be served concurrently. Also read | Imran to not contest PTI intra-party polls, Gohar Khan roped in as 'temporary arrangement' While serving the sentence in the Al-Azizia case, Nawaz was diagnosed with an immune system disorder and was allowed to travel abroad in 2019 for treatment as per doctors' advice. Also read | Open trial of jailed former Pak PM Imran Khan to be held on Friday But he didn’t return and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender in both cases in December 2020 by the IHC. The former premiere came back last month after nearly four years of self-exile and his appeals were revived.

Pakistan ex-PM Nawaz Sharif acquitted in corruption cases ahead of general elections

Islamabad High Court on Wednesday started proceedings to declare former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif as an "absconder" in the Avenfield property case.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/paks-federal-cabinet-divided-over-fir-against-nawaz-sharif-333123">Also Read:&nbsp;Pak's Federal cabinet divided over FIR against Nawaz Sharif</a>

Last year, the Accountability Court had asked prime minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz Safdar, to appear before it.

According to reports, initially, advertisements will be placed in newspapers calling for Nawaz Sharif to appear before the court, and after 30 days in case Nawaz Sharif does not turn up, then he will be declared as an "absconder".

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had moved the Accountability Court for trial against former prime minister's daughter Maryam for presenting fabricated trust deed in the reference.

The court had earlier sentenced PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in prison and imposed a fine after finding him guilty on different charges in the Avenfield properties case.

Nawaz Sharif had earlier challenged the Accountability Court's verdict in the Islamabad High Court in the Avenfield reference case. Sharif had said he felt "targetted" and cornered" after the verdict from the Accountability Court.

Islamabad High Court on Wednesday started proceedings to declare former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif as an "absconder" in the Avenfield property case. Also Read: Pak's Federal cabinet divided over FIR against Nawaz Sharif Last year, the Accountability Court had asked prime minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz Safdar, to appear before it.

Islamabad High Court on Wednesday started proceedings to declare former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif as an "absconder" in the Avenfield property case. Also Read: Pak's Federal cabinet divided over FIR against Nawaz Sharif Last year, the Accountability Court had asked prime minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz Safdar, to appear before it. According to reports, initially, advertisements will be placed in newspapers calling for Nawaz Sharif to appear before the court, and after 30 days in case Nawaz Sharif does not turn up, then he will be declared as an "absconder". The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had moved the Accountability Court for trial against former prime minister's daughter Maryam for presenting fabricated trust deed in the reference. The court had earlier sentenced PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in prison and imposed a fine after finding him guilty on different charges in the Avenfield properties case. Nawaz Sharif had earlier challenged the Accountability Court's verdict in the Islamabad High Court in the Avenfield reference case. Sharif had said he felt "targetted" and cornered" after the verdict from the Accountability Court.

Islamabad High Court initiates proceedings to declare Nawaz Sharif an 'absconder' in Avenfield case

avenfield-case

Avenfield Case, News on Avenfield Case, stories on Avenfield Case, articles on Avenfield Case, Avenfield Case stories at Wion, Avenfield Case news, Avenfield Case latest news

avenfield case

Pakistan ex-PM Nawaz Sharif acquitted in corruption cases ahead of general elections

Islamabad High Court initiates proceedings to declare Nawaz Sharif an 'absconder' in Avenfield case