The caretaker Punjab government has reportedly suspended the sentence of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference.
Sources said the government suspended the sentence using its powers under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Under Section 401, the government reserves the right to suspend a convict’s sentence.
Before PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif travelled to London in 2019 for medical treatment, his sentence was suspended at that time as well.
Caretaker Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir said the government suspended Nawaz Sharif’s sentence using its constitutional authority.
He, however, clarified while talking to Samaa TV that the government could only suspend a sentence, not end it completely.
In December 2018, an accountability court had sentenced the former prime minister to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case. However, he was acquitted in the Flagship Investments reference.
The court had also imposed a fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million on Nawaz in the Al-Azizia case. Additionally, a 10-year disqualification from holding any public office was included in the verdict, which would take effect after he completef the seven-year jail term.
