Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team arrested on Sunday former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar, who was wanted in relation to Avenfield properties reference case.

He had announced to surrender himself before the authorities at Liaquat Bagh earlier in the day.

Safdar, along with wife Maryam and father-in-law Nawaz Sharif, was given on Friday jail term in the Avenfield properties case. Nawaz and Maryam were sentenced to 11 and eight years in prison and slapped £8-million and £2-million fines, respectively. Capt (retd) Safdar also received a one-year prison sentence.

Two high-rank NAB officials took Safdar into custody after he appeared at a party rally in Rawalpindi. Hundreds of people were around the vehicle in which the NAB officials accompanied the former prime minister’s son-in-law.

Safdar was, however, allowed to address his supporters gathered to protest against the verdict. “We will have to decide how the country will be run,” Safdar said, adding: “I am surrendering myself in order to set a foundation for democracy.”

He called upon the nation to support Nawaz Sharif in his fight for the 220 million citizens of the country. He would be presented before the accountability court today (Monday).

After reaching the election office of PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi, Safdar Awan was officially arrested and shifted into the vehicle of NAB team.

NAB officials said that Safdar would be taken to the authority’s office in Islamabad.

Hours before his arrest, the husband of Maryam Nawaz released an audio message stating, “I had earlier decided to court arrest in Tarnol, but as per the party’s decision I will now surrender from another city.”

“Surrendering is an honourable act,” he upheld.

Nawaz’s son-in-law further expressed hope that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz would sweep the elections from Hazara.

According to the media reports, Safdar’s name was also added to the “blacklist” of the Interior Ministry, barring him from leaving Pakistan through any airport or land or sea route.

Meanwhile, the anti-corruption watchdog said that if Capt (retd) Safdar had to give voluntarily arrest then he should have done it on Saturday.

“Safdar is a convict and media should refrain from promoting him”, said the probe body, adding that it could “lead to lawlessness”.

The authority said that those assisting the former PM’s son-in-law would face action against them.

Published in Daily Times, July 9^th 2018.