A court in Islamabad sentenced Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in prison in a corruption case on Friday.
Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz was sentenced to seven years in jail and and son-in-law captain (retired) Safdar awarded one-year jail term, reports The Hindu.
The court also imposed a fine of £8 million on Nawaz Sharif and £2 million on Maryam Nawaz.
Sharifs’ lawyers announced to challenge the ruling in High Court.
Accountability Court judge Mohammed Bashir also rejected an application from the Sharifs to postpone the announcement of the verdict as he is currently with his wife Kulsoom Nawaz in London who is on ventilator for the past three weeks.
“In the interest of justice the announcement of order in the titled reference may be postponed for a minimum of seven days period,” the applications by Sharifs stated.
Sharif has vowed to return to the country once her wife’s health improves.
Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as Prime Minister in July 2017 by the Supreme Court following challenge to his office by opposition leader Imran khan on the basis of publication of the Panama Papers.
Panama Papers alleged that the Sharif family stashed assets in London through offshore companies Nescoll and Nelson.
The companies are owned by Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz. Assets in question are four expensive flats in London worth over £200 million.
Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz admitted ownership of the flats. But denied that the flats were purchased through corruption money.
Hussain Nawaz never appeared before the accountability court despite several notices. He has been declared as proclaimed offender.
