NAB prepares appeal against Nawaz's amnesty in Flagship reference

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday prepared an appeal against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s acquittal in the Flagship Investment reference.

The accountability watchdog will move the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the accountability court’s decision to acquit Nawaz in the corruption reference.

NAB has also decided to approach the IHC against the verdict in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference.

NAB believes the seven-year jail term handed to Nawaz in the corruption reference is not enough and should be extended.

Nawaz has been proven guilty and as per Section 9 (a)(v) of the NAB ordinance the maximum punishment is a 14-year prison term, the accountability watchdog has upheld.

On December 24, the accountability court sentenced Nawaz to seven years in prison in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, while acquitting him in the Flagship Investment reference.

A day earlier, Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris filed an appeal against the verdict of the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference in the IHC.

In the appeal, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz quaid requested the high court to declare his sentence null and void, and release him on bail.