The caretaker government of Punjab has taken the decision to suspend the sentence of the former Prime Minister and PML-N chief, Nawaz Sharif, in the Al-Azizia reference.
Local media outlets have reported that the Naqvi-led government invoked its powers under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which grants the government the authority to suspend a convict’s sentence. Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir has confirmed this decision, emphasizing that the incumbent government possesses the constitutional authority to suspend a sentence, although not entirely.
Read more:Caretaker administration hikes petrol price
It’s important to recall that five years ago, an accountability court sentenced Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, along with imposing a hefty fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million. Furthermore, he was barred from holding any public office for a period of 10 years.
In parallel, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to consider petitions filed by the PML-N leader seeking the revival of his appeals in the Avenfield and Al-Azazia references today. A division bench has been constituted to hear these appeals, with a two-judge panel, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, scheduled to address the pleas today.
