ISLAMABAD: The conviction of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia case — one of the three references instituted against him in light of the Panama Papers — was declared void on Tuesday, as the Islamabad High Court acquitted him despite a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) request for a re-trial.
Following the reversal of his conviction in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield cases, legal experts believe that the PML-N supreme leader may also become eligible to contest polls and hold public office. During Tuesday’s proceedings, the IHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, observed that the trial court convicted Mr Sharif upon “evidence based on photocopies”. While the bench intended to conclude the case on Tuesday, NAB tried to extend the proceedings, with its special prosecutor Azhar Maqbool Shah asking the court to remand the case to the accountability court. He argued that since the late accountability judge Arshad Malik was removed from service for misconduct, the IHC may send the matter back to the trial court for a decision on merit.
Justice Aurangzeb asked NAB to advance arguments and share the evidence that the bureau intended to submit to the trial court. The IHC chief justice asked the prosecution to show the money trail, any original documents, and proof that Mr Sharif acquired Al-Azizia and Hill Metal Establishment (HME) through corrupt practices…Source: dawnnews.com
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
