Nawaz Sharif acquitted in plots allotment reference

An accountability court in Lahore on Saturday acquitted PML-N Quaid and former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a plots allotment reference, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

AC Judge Rao Abdul Jabbar pronounced the verdict in favour of Nawaz Sharif, who had been declared a proclaimed offender (PO) in the case, for want of evidence.

Nawaz Sharif was accused of illegally allotting plots to Jang group editor-in-chief Mir Shakilur Rehman.

Others nominated in the case, including Jang Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman, have already been acquitted.  

Several petitions had been filed in the court in the past, seeking stay in the case of auction of former prime minister’s properties.

The court had sent these petitions back to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Counsels for Nawaz argued that a PO could also be set free if proofs against him were found to be insufficient.   

In their petitions, Yousaf Abbas, Nawaz’s relative, and others had said that since other suspects in the case had already been given a clean chit; therefore it was prayed to the court to acquit the former premier as well.

 Reporter Jamaluddin Jamali