LAHORE: An accountability court in Lahore has released a detailed verdict regarding the acquittal last month of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the plot allotment case involving Jang group chief executive officer (CEO) Mir Shakilur Rahman.
The verdict provides an explanation of how Sharif’s proclaimed offender status ended and the legal basis for granting him relief.
In its reference, filed when the PTI was in power in 2020, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had alleged that Jang Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman had illegally obtained exemption of 54 plots, each measuring one-kanal, situated in Block-H, Johar Town. It alleged that the allotment of the land had been made in connivance with the then chief minister of Punjab, Nawaz, in 1986 against the exemption policy and the laws for monetary gains.
The PML-N supremo had been declared a proclaimed offender in the case for his constant non-appearance before the court.
Last month, Judge Rao Abdul Jabbar had acquitted Nawaz while Rehman was acquitted in the case in January 2022.
The detailed verdict issued by Judge Jabbar on Thursday, said that the proper procedure for declaring an individual a proclaimed offender had not been followed.
The order said that under Section 87 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, one could only be declared a proclaimed offender if the court was satisfied after recording the evidence of the process server — who executed the warrants at the accused’s address and fulfils all other formalities.
“In this case, the record is silent regarding who issued the warrants, publications or documents containing the material to inform the accused to appear before the court of law. This is a mandatory condition, otherwise, the entire proceedings become void and illegal.”
The court has ordered the acquittal of Sharif, who served as prime minister three times, of all charges in the case. The verdict also highlights that the same relief should be given to him as has been granted to the main suspects in the case.
Furthermore, the verdict emphasizes that proceedings to declare Sharif a proclaimed offender were not conducted in accordance with the law. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, Sharif should receive the same relief as the other accused individuals.
As part of the verdict, the dirty money watchdog and the revenue board have been instructed to unfreeze the properties of the shareholders in Sharif’s properties. Additionally, a copy of the court order is to be sent to the NAB chairman and others involved.
The amicus curiae appointed by the court claimed the proper procedure was not followed in declaring Sharif a proclaimed offender. Shareholders of Sharif’s properties have also filed objections to the freezing of their properties.
Senior prosecutor Hafiz Asadullah was appointed as an amicus curiae in the reference.
