Open trial of Nawaz green lighted by Cabinet

Interim Prime Minister Justice Nasirul Mulk. PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the open trial of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the remaining two references lodged against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

According to a press statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Cabinet approved “withdrawal of a Summary dated 13th July, 2018 and the Order issued under Sub-Section (B) of Section 16 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999” pertaining to conducting Nawaz’s trial within the premises of Adiala Jail during a meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.

During the meeting, the interior secretary briefed federal ministers on measure taken to ensue security and law and order situation ahead of the general elections including deployment of over 42, 000 civil armed forces, and information sharing with provincial governments through National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), provision of aviation support and technical assistance by the Federal Investigation Agency and NADRA.

“The Cabinet emphasised upon the need for the provincial governments to ensure that the Election Code of Conduct and the security protocols are strictly followed and that the political leaders are kept on board by the administration about the security measures being taken to ensure security during corner meetings and political gatherings,” read the statement.

Proposal by the finance division to facilitate the implementation anti-money laundering and countering terror-financing plans was approved. The Cabinet also endorsed a proposal for “contributions by the employees of the federal government towards construction of Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam” which outlines donating “two days’ salary of officers (BS 17-22) and one day salary of officials (BS-1-16)” for the cause.

“The Cabinet also approved issuance of notification regarding exemption of federal taxes in the areas of erstwhile FATA/PATA, initially for a period of three months.”

Sharifs file appeal in IHC against their conviction

The ousted premier and daughter Maryam Nawaz were arrested upon their arrival in Lahore on July 13 and moved to Adiala jail following an accountability court’s verdict in the Avenfield Apartments corruption reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The trio – convicted by an accountability court on July 6 in Avenfield Apartments case – filed two separate petitions against the trial court’s order, seeking suspension of sentences and transfer of the pending two NAB references to some other accountability court.

However, the IHC on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on their petitions till the end of this month, eliminating all chances of three members of the Sharif family, who are incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s famous Adiala Jail, to come out of their captivity before the election.