Seven years after leaving Pakistan, Hassan Hussain Nawaz returns
Both brothers landed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, and they were immediately taken under high security to Jati Umra, according to reports.
When they arrived at Jati Umra, sources stated that CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif cordially welcomed them. They then said prayers (Fatiha) at the tomb of their late mother, Kulsoom Begum.
A court of accountability had earlier declared the judgment to be reserved and postponed till March 14 the permanent arrest warrants for Hassan and Hussain Nawaz in the NAB References Avenfield, Flagship, and Al-Azizia.
An accountability court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Hussain and Hassan Nawaz on July 11, 2018, after they were deemed absconders in the Avenfield reference case. This is an important point to note.
Hussain and Hassan, who were both in London at the time, were told to show up for the accountability court hearings, which aimed to conclude the Avenfield reference case and other matters involving graft.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had earlier cleared former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference, which was a huge relief for the PML-N.
The history of the case
On July 6, 2018, an accountability court found former prime minister Nawaz Sharif guilty of many crimes in the Avenfield reference and sentenced him to a total of 10 years in jail along with an £8 million fine. Additionally, the court barred Sharif from assuming a position of public office for ten years.
Judge Muhammad Bashir had sentenced Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of the former PM, to seven years in jail and a £2 million fine. Safdar, her spouse, received a one-year prison sentence.