ISLAMABAD: The National Accountancy Bureau (NAB) has decided to approach the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for an enhancement of the sentence of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference case.
Earlier on December 24, Nawaz was awarded seven years of jail in the Al-Azizia reference case; however, the court acquitted him in the Flagship Investment reference filed against him and other members of the Sharif family by NAB.
According to the details of the development, NAB’s prosecution team has worked out an appeal wherein it has sought an enhancement of Nawaz’s sentence.
Less punishment has been awarded to Nawaz despite recording of statements by 22 witnesses and presentation of solid evidence, NAB has argued.
“Nawaz Sharif inflicted loss on the national exchequer. However, less punishment has been awarded to him in the Al-Azizia reference despite the fact that prosecution proved the case with concrete evidence,” the plea states.
According to sources, the appeal will be filed next week after an approval from NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal.
It is worth mentioning here that Nawaz was not only jailed for seven years but also served a fine of Rs1.5 billion in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case.
In a short verdict announced last Tuesday, the court had said there was concrete evidence against the former premier in the reference and that he was unable to provide a money trail in the case.
There was not enough evidence to convict Nawaz in the Flagship reference; thus, he has been acquitted, the decision read. Nawaz was taken into custody from the court premises following the verdict and is currently behind bars at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.
