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Politicians express different views reacting to court’s verdict into Avenfield Reference

July 06, 2018

ISLAMABAD, July 06 (INP): Leaders of various political parties of the country have expressed different views while reacting to the decision of the accountability court into Avenfield Reference. It is worth mentioning that the Accountability Court-I sentenced former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine in the Avenfield properties reference while his daughter Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine and Capt Safdar was sentenced for one year in prison. Chief of Awami Muslim League (AML), Sheikh Rasheed remarked that a political bigwig has been sentenced for the first time in Pakistan’s history. “There is no doubt that Maryam Nawaz forged signature in the Panama Papers case. The documents were forged,” he claimed. Rasheed remarked that Nawaz Sharif wants the people to come out on the roads. "They expect those people to come out to whom they didn't even provide basic facilities," he said. However, he added that all the guilty persons haven’t been punished, adding “the story of Model Town cruelty is still left.” Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen in his reaction shared on social media said that Nawaz Sharif had fabricated a narrative that he was ousted for holding iqama (work permit), adding that the former premier has been sentenced for being a 'thief and money launderer'. He wrote: "NS's fabricated narrative that he got ousted only for holding an Iqama, has been torn to shreds after NAB Court's historic verdict. 'Mujhe Kyun Nikala Sharif' finally gets the answer that he has been jailed for being a Chor & a Money Launderer. Great victory for Pakistan." Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former opposition leader in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah rejected the verdict saying that the timing of the verdict is wrong. Announcing the verdict so close to the elections can have multiple meanings, he said adding that the verdict should have been announced three months before. “Nawaz will benefit from this verdict,” Khurshid Shah claimed. Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq expressed concern regarding delay in polls due to the verdict. “The verdict against Nawaz should not influence the forthcoming elections,” he said, stressing that the polls should not be rescheduled following the verdict. While speaking to media, Sirajul Haq reiterated his demand to hold all the 436 people listed in the Panama Papers accountable. “Nation wants across the board accountability,” he added. PTI leader Dr Arif Alvi said that the verdict has served as a warning to all those who "looted and plundered" to not engage in corrupt practices. He wrote: "Justice has been served to the people of Pakistan. A warning to all those who looted and plundered and to those who are in politics to stay away from corruption in the future. You cannot steal from the people of Pakistan and go free. Other too must be caught." PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry remarked that the implementation on convictions in Pakistan has started. "There are some days left till Imran Khan becomes the PM," he said adding that thieves should worry about their fates once Imran becomes the premier.