The caretaker Punjab government made a significant decision on Tuesday by suspending the sentence of former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference. Nawaz Sharif had previously been convicted in both the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references by accountability courts.
In the Avenfield case, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with an eight million Pounds fine, and in the Al-Azizia reference, a seven-year sentence was imposed. Moreover, he was disqualified from holding public office for a period of 10 years.
However, in 2019, the Lahore High Court (LHC) suspended his sentence in the Al-Azizia reference on medical grounds, allowing him to travel to London for medical treatment. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the caretaker Punjab cabinet suspended Nawaz Sharif’s sentence under Criminal Procedural Code Section 401.
Section 401 of the Criminal Procedural Code grants the government the authority to suspend a convict’s sentence.
Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former Prime Minister, returned to Pakistan on October 21 after spending four years in self-exile. His return was marked by a warm welcome from the PML-N, and he addressed a large public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan, where he outlined his plans for addressing the challenges facing Pakistan.
