Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, the sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, have been acquitted by the accountability court of charges in three high-profile corruption references, including the Avenfield, Flagship, and Al-Azizia cases.
The court's decision brings significant relief to the two brothers after facing legal scrutiny for several years.
The acquittal came following an application filed by Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, with their lawyer, Qazi Misbah, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to continue prosecuting the case against them.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Misbah emphasized that the trial court had already sentenced Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia case, and the Islamabad High Court had accepted Nawaz Sharif's appeal in December 2023. He highlighted that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had not challenged the decision to approve Nawaz Sharif's appeal, saying there was no further evidence to suggest that Hasan and Hussain Nawaz should be prosecuted.
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"Nawaz Sharif was acquitted on the base of the same documents on which the court acquitted Maryam Nawaz," he explained. He added that the NAB did not file an appeal against her acquittal, as the NAB could not present any evidence in the reference against Maryam.
He argued that the brothers cannot be punished even on the evidence presented, adding that prosecuting them would be a waste of court time, especially considering that the main accused, Nawaz Sharif, had been acquitted. "If the main accused is acquitted, the case cannot proceed against the co-accused on the allegations of aiding and abetting," Qazi Misbah argued.
He further said that in the Flagship reference, Nawaz Sharif had bee acquitted by the trial court and the NAB had also withdrawn its appeal against the decision of the trial court.
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During the hearing, Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana considered the arguments presented by both sides. NAB Deputy Prosecutor Azhar Maqbool reiterated that Hassan and Hussain Nawaz were accused of conspiracy and aiding and abetting, despite the acquittal of Nawaz Sharif.
However, Misbah countered, stating that the high court had also decided on the extent of the involvement of the accused individuals.
Ultimately, the accountability court ruled in favor of Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, acquitting them in the corruption references. The decision marks a significant legal victory for the two brothers and concludes a prolonged legal battle that has been closely followed by the public and the media.
The acquittal of Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz underscores the complexities and intricacies of corruption cases in Pakistan's legal system, while also raising questions about the effectiveness of accountability measures in addressing allegations of corruption at the highest levels of government.
