Pakistan court orders release of former PM Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam; jail term suspended

A two-judge bench of the Islamabad High Court heard the petitions filed by former PM Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar challenging their conviction related to the purchase of luxury flats in London.

A top Pakistani court suspended the jail sentences of former premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter, and son-in-law in a corruption case on Wednesday, according to media reports.

A two-judge bench of the Islamabad High Court heard the petitions filed by former PM Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar challenging their conviction related to the purchase of luxury flats in London, Geo News reported.

Justice Athar Minallah read the judgment and suspended the sentences handed to them by accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir on July 6. Sharif, Maryam, and Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in prison in the Avenfield properties case.

The two-judge bench ordered the release of the former premier, his daughter, and son-in-law. Sharif, Maryam, and Safdar were also directed to submit bail bonds worth Rs 0.5 million each.