Court orders unfreezing of Nawaz Sharif’s properties

ISLAMABAD: In a recent development, an accountability court in Islamabad has directed the unfreezing of both movable and immovable properties belonging to Nawaz Sharif.

According to Dawn.com, the decision comes in response to an application filed by the former prime minister’s counsel. The court, presided over by Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir, withdrew the order for property attachment after being informed that Sharif had surrendered and his arrest warrant had been canceled.

Meanwhile, Misbahul Hasan Qazi, the counsel for Nawaz Sharif, informed the court that his client had traveled abroad for medical treatment with the high court’s permission.

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Despite this, a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference and proceedings under sections 87 and 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) were initiated against him, leading to the attachment of his properties.

Qazi argued that the court order lacked the necessary details regarding the mode and method of attachment, as mandated by Section 88(4) of the CrPC.

He contended that the order was not in accordance with the law, emphasising that none of Sharif’s assets had been sold or transferred, and the provincial government had not assumed control over them.

Acknowledging Sharif’s appearance in court and the cancellation of the arrest warrant, AC Judge Bashir accepted the application, stating, “the Order dated 1.10.2020 and the Order dated 22.4.2021 stands withdrawn.”

Previously, Nawaz Sharif’s properties, including shares in four registered companies, eight accounts (including three foreign currency accounts), a Land Cruiser, two Mercedes cars, two tractors, and various agricultural lands, were attached by the court.

The withdrawal of this order marks a significant legal development in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the former prime minister.