Islamabad (Pakistan Point News – 24th December, 2018) Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been convicted in al-Azizia reference while acquitted in Flagship case.
The Accountability Court awarded seven years imprisonment to Nawaz Sharif besides a fine of $25 million for failing to provide money trail in al-Azizia reference.
Nawaz Sharif was however acquitted in Flagship reference.
Twitter has come out to react to the verdict.
Some are hailing the decision while others are upset over Nawaz Sharif's arrest.
Here's what they are saying:
The court also ordered to freeze assets of Nawaz Sharif while he has been barred to hold any public office for ten years.
Moreover, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, the sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, were declared proclaimed offenders in al-Azizia and Flagship references.
After the verdict was announced, Nawaz Sharif was arrested from the court room.
He was earlier being shifted to Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi from the Accountability Court. However, Nawaz Sharif had requested to shift him to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore which was accepted.
Accountability Court-II Judge Arshad Malik announced the verdict in the remaining NAB references today.
A large number of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers gathered outside the Accountability Court to extend support to party supremo Nawaz Sharif.
The PML-N workers raised slogans in favour of Nawaz Sharif and denounced the verdict.
The NAB team and the Punjab Government had also made strict security arrangements to maintain law and order in view of the verdict.
An Accountability Court on December 19 reserved its judgment in graft references pertaining to Flagship Investment and Al-Azizia Steel Mills against Nawaz Sharif and decided to announce it on December 24, Monday.
Accountability Court-II Judge Arshad Malik reserved the judgment after the conclusion of cross questioning and answering session between defense and prosecution on certain points related to the case.
On December 7, the Supreme Court had directed the accountability court to conclude the cases by December 24, after previously granting it seven extensions to wrap up the references initiated by NAB.
