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Sharif family to stay in jail till election, court adjourns appeals

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Islamabad, July 17 (IANS) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday adjourned till the last week of July appeals by jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retired) Mohammad Safdar against their conviction for corruption.

The decision means that Sharif, until recently the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), will remain in jail along with his daughter and son-in-law during the July 25 general election.

The three had filed appeals in the court on Monday, challenging their convictions in the graft case related to their ownership of four luxury flats in the UK.

A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard seven separate appeals filed by the their lawyers.

The hearing on the pleas filed by the Sharifs will now take place after July 25, Dawn online reported.

The pleas were against the conviction and seeking the suspension of the Sharif family’s sentences and transfer of the pending two references against them. Three appeals were filed on behalf of the former Premier and two each on behalf of Maryam Nawaz and Safdar.

The court issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in all three petitions filed by Sharif. It also said no to suspending the conviction in the case until the appeals were decided.

On July 6, the three-time Prime Minister was sentenced to 10 years in prison for holding assets beyond known sources of income. His daughter was handed a seven-year sentence while her husband was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.

The sentence was given in Avenfield properties reference – one of the three references filed on the orders of the Supreme Court in July 2017 Panamagate verdict.

Earlier, the presiding judge of the accountability court hearing corruption cases against members of the Sharif family recused himself from continuing the trial in the remaining two references.

Judge Muhammad Bashir wrote to the IHC and excused himself. In the letter, the judge stated that he decided not to pursue the remaining references — the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship reference cases — and if the IHC deems fit, the high court may transfer him.

Judge Bashir also told the high court that he had no objection if the cases were assigned to another judge. The court is yet to decide on the transfer of cases.

The judge also mentioned Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris’ reservations against the trial. Haris stated that Bashir “acted in utter breach of the principles governing the interpretation of penal statutes as consistently laid down by the Supreme Court”.

Sharif and his daughter were arrested in Lahore on July 13 on their arrival from London.

–IANS
soni/mr

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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