The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday said that the Avenfield trust deed involving Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Maryam Nawaz and her brother Hussain Nawaz could not be considered as fabricated.
A two-judge bench made up of Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kayani said this while hearing a petition by Maryam Nawaz and her husband, Captain (retired) Safdar. The petition challenged the pair’s conviction in the Avenfield Reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that the document was authentic and would be considered pre-dated since both signatories believed in the dates.
The IHC observed that the anti-graft body had proven forgery in the trust deed when they informed the bench. It said a lack of evidence would result in the verdict being different.
The court also asked the NAB regarding its response to Nawaz’ request and expressed apprehension over the progress made.
Maryam Nawaz’s representative Irfan Qadir that NAB had not completed the basic details of the case. Moreover, the actual value and the assets’ source were not mentioned, he added.
Justice Farooq replied that the Supreme Court’s observations were only initial, adding that they were not looking at the evidence. Justice Akhtar called on the NAB to answer the questions, saying that there should not be any delay.
The court ordered all parties to review the case papers, adjourning the hearing till February 17.
