Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif acquitted in Al-Azizia corruption case

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday aquitted Nawaz Sharif, former Pakistan prime minister, of charges in the Al-Azizia Steel Mill corruption case. This decision eliminates a significant legal obstacle for Sharif as he prepares to lead his party in the upcoming elections. In 2018, Sharif received a seven-year jail sentence and a substantial fine from an anti-corruption court, which accused him of involvement in the steel mill established by his father in Saudi Arabia in 2001. Despite his previous acquittals in the Avenfield and Flagship corruption cases, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) challenged the Al-Azizia case, leading to an appeal in the Islamabad High Court. During the hearing, Sharif’s lawyer argued that no evidence had been presented against him, emphasising the lack of clear proof of ownership in the case. The Chief Justice questioned the NAB prosecutor about the evidence and rejected their request to send the case for re-trial. Ultimately, the court granted Sharif’s appeal on merit, resulting in his acquittal in the Al-Azizia corruption case. Sharif, who returned to Pakistan in October to lead his party in the upcoming elections, has faced legal challenges since being disqualified by the Supreme Court in 2017. Despite his ongoing disqualification from holding public office, recent amendments to the Elections Act, 2017, limit lawmakers’ disqualification to five years, retroactively benefiting Sharif’s eligibility. With inputs from PTI