An accountability court in Islamabad has granted bail to Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, the sons of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Both individuals, who are sons of the PML-N leader, surrendered before Judge Nasir Javed at the accountability court.
During the hearing, the judge inquired about the number of cases registered against Hassan and Hussain Nawaz. The counsel representing them responded, indicating that three cases had been filed against the brothers, with pleas seeking the suspension of arrest warrants submitted for all cases. Consequently, the court approved the bail pleas and directed the brothers to submit surety bonds worth Rs 50,000.
Moreover, the accountability court took the step of removing the fugitive status of both sons of Nawaz Sharif in the Panama references.
This development follows Hassan and Hussain Nawaz’s return to Pakistan after seven years earlier this week. Upon their arrival, they were warmly welcomed by CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra, where they paid their respects at their late mother Kulsoom Begum’s grave.
Previously, an accountability court had announced a reserved verdict and suspended the permanent arrest warrants of Hassan and Hussain Nawaz in the NAB References Avenfield, Flagship, and Al-Azizia until March 14.
It’s worth noting that on July 11, 2018, an accountability court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Hussain and Hassan Nawaz, declaring them absconders in the Avenfield reference case. Both were instructed to appear before the accountability court, which sought to conclude references in the Avenfield case and other corruption cases.
In a significant development for the PML-N, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had previously acquitted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference.
In the case’s background, an accountability court had sentenced former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to a total of 10 years in prison on July 6, 2018, and directed him to pay a fine of £8 million after finding him guilty on various charges in the Avenfield reference. His daughter, Maryam Nawaz, was handed a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of £2 million, while her husband, Safdar, was given a one-year jail term.
