News Desk |
An accountability court on Monday acquitted ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship Investments corruption references and sentenced him to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference.
The PML-N Quaid had arrived at the accountability court accompanied by nephew Hamza Shahbaz, police and private security personnel. Shortly after Nawaz’s arrival, PML-N supporters began stone pelting police and trying to force their way into the court complex. Police retaliated with tear gas shelling and baton-charging the supporters.
Security has been beefed up around the judicial complex, with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed around the building and along roads leading to the court.
The verdict was expected between 9 am to 10 am. However, there was a delay for unspecified reasons and sources within the court said the judgment would be announced after 2 pm.
It may be mentioned that the verdict in the Avenfield corruption reference earlier this year — which handed down sentences to Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain Safdar — was delayed multiple times before eventually being announced a little after 4:30 pm.
Accountability Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik on Dec 19 had reserved judgement in both the references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the former premier.
Read more:Â Will Nawaz Sharif be arrested again: Court to announce on 24th…
PML-N workers started gathering outside the court to show their support for the party’s supreme leader as early as 7:30 am. Entry to the accountability court has been restricted to only those having the permission of the registrar.
Security has been beefed up around the judicial complex, with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed around the building and along roads leading to the court.