Daily Times

The Sharif family has decided to challenge the July 6 Avenfield verdict against them in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

An accountability court hearing corruption references against the Sharif family on Friday sentenced ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in prison over his family’s purchase of London’s Avenfield apatments. Maryam Nawaz was sentenced to 7 years while her husbanand was handed one-year jail term. The court also imposed 8m pounds on Nawaz, 2m pounds on Maryam and ordered confiscation of the London properties.

Khawaja Haris, on behlaf of Nawaz, Maryam and captain (retd) Safdar, will file an appeal against the verdict in the IHC on monday, claimed sources.

Moreover, the Sharif family has been told by their lawyers that possibility of getting any relief in the sentence would be very difficult, if they fail to come to Pakistan within the 10-day deadline for filing appeal.

Maryam had said during a media talk in London that she along with her father would return to Pakistan with 10 days. According to sources, they are expected to reach at the Islamabad airport on Friday morning.

It is to be noted that Captain (retd) Safdar is still at large despite of being declared guilty in the verdict. However, his name has been added to the black list restricting him to flee the country.