We are not declaring Nawaz Sharif an absconder: IHC

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif the opportunity "to surrender" and present himself before the court by September 9.

A two-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani were hearing the appeals filed by Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar against their convictions in the Avenfield Apartments reference.

The same bench will also take up an appeal filed by NAB against the Flagship reference as well as appeals against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference.

"We are not declaring Nawaz Sharif an absconder," said Justice Amir Farooq. "We are giving him an opportunity to surrender before the court."

The court directed Nawaz to appear before the bench on September 9 and adjourned proceedings of the petition till September 10.

In July 2018, the former three-time prime minister had been sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped with an £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the Avenfield properties reference while Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million).

The Avenfield properties reference was one of three filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) the preceding year in light of the Supreme Court's verdict against Nawaz in the Panama Papers case. The reference pertained to the ownership of the Sharif family's apartments at Avenfield House, London.

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We are not declaring Nawaz Sharif an absconder: IHC

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif the opportunity "to surrender" and present himself before the court by September 9.

A two-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani were hearing the appeals filed by Nawaz, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar against their convictions in the Avenfield Apartments reference.

The same bench will also take up an appeal filed by NAB against the Flagship reference as well as appeals against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference.

"We are not declaring Nawaz Sharif an absconder," said Justice Amir Farooq. "We are giving him an opportunity to surrender before the court."

The court directed Nawaz to appear before the bench on September 9 and adjourned proceedings of the petition till September 10.

In July 2018, the former three-time prime minister had been sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped with an £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the Avenfield properties reference while Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million).

The Avenfield properties reference was one of three filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) the preceding year in light of the Supreme Court's verdict against Nawaz in the Panama Papers case. The reference pertained to the ownership of the Sharif family's apartments at Avenfield House, London.

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Saudi Arabia sacks army commander over alleged corruption

A top Saudi military commander and his son were sacked on Monday over graft allegations, state media said, in the government’s latest anti-corruption purge.

Joint forces commander Prince Fahad bin Turki — a senior royal family member — and Abdulaziz bin Fahad, the deputy emir of northern Al-Jouf region, were fired and placed under investigation for corruption, according to the report.

Several other officers and civilian employees of the defense ministry were also being probed for corruption, it added, citing a royal decree from King Salman.

Prince Fahad served as the commander of the Saudi-led military coalition fighting Iran-linked Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen.

He was replaced by Mutlaq bin Salim, the deputy chief of staff, on the recommendation of the kingdom’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, state media said.

The government decision to sack the commander was a “very public signal against corruption in the military,” said Saudi author and analyst Ali Shihabi.

The announcement marks the latest government crackdown on what officials describe as endemic corruption in the kingdom.

Senior Saudi security commanders were among a string of officials sacked last month over graft allegations at tourism projects.

In March, Human Rights Watch voiced alarm over the arrest of 298 Saudi officials over corruption allegations, warning of possible “unfair legal proceedings” in an opaque judicial system.

Military and judicial officials were among those arrested over allegations of bribery and embezzlement amounting to a total of 379 million riyals ($101 million), according to the state anti-corruption watchdog.

The watchdog said the arrests came after it criminally investigated 674 state employees, but it neither named any of the suspects nor stated when its probe took place.

A campaign against graft launched in 2017 saw hundreds of elite princes, ministers and businessmen detained at the luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel in the capital Riyadh.

Many were held there for weeks and most were subsequently released after agreeing to significant financial settlements. Authorities said they recovered more than 400 billion Saudi riyals ($107 billion).

The anti-graft sweep led by Prince Mohammed was labeled by many critics as a shakedown and a power grab.

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Tourism sector gets a much-needed boost as corona cases declined

The coronavirus-hit tourism sector of the country got a much-needed boost during the past week as tourists swarmed in from all over the country to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's cooler tourist resorts to have fun.

The government recently reopened the tourism industry which was welcome news for millions in Pakistan who had to stay indoors for the past five to six months after provincial governments imposed lockdowns to curb the virus from spreading.

In the post-lock down situation this year, the trend of the last 10 days showed that the inflow of tourists in KP has posted an almost 100% growth, with an average of 50,000 tourists visiting the northern areas of the country each day as compared to the 25,000 in the corresponding period.

However, there is another side of the picture. As tourists continue to arrive at the tourist locations in large numbers, fears of a second wave of the coronavirus have started to hover as people exhibit irresponsible behaviour towards the precautionary measures. Many were found ignoring the SOPs and violating social distancing rules, not wearing masks and not using hand sanitisers.

The Kaghan Development Authority reportedly imposed a smart lockdown in various areas the other day and sealed several hotels and restaurants in view of the violations of guidelines by tourists.

However, reports said that some of the hotels reopened after a disinfection drive.

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Saudi Arabia sacks army commander over alleged corruption

A top Saudi military commander and his son were sacked on Monday over graft allegations, state media said, in the government’s latest anti-corruption purge.

Joint forces commander Prince Fahad bin Turki — a senior royal family member — and Abdulaziz bin Fahad, the deputy emir of northern Al-Jouf region, were fired and placed under investigation for corruption, according to the report.

Several other officers and civilian employees of the defense ministry were also being probed for corruption, it added, citing a royal decree from King Salman.

Prince Fahad served as the commander of the Saudi-led military coalition fighting Iran-linked Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen.

He was replaced by Mutlaq bin Salim, the deputy chief of staff, on the recommendation of the kingdom’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, state media said.

The government decision to sack the commander was a “very public signal against corruption in the military,” said Saudi author and analyst Ali Shihabi.

The announcement marks the latest government crackdown on what officials describe as endemic corruption in the kingdom.

Senior Saudi security commanders were among a string of officials sacked last month over graft allegations at tourism projects.

In March, Human Rights Watch voiced alarm over the arrest of 298 Saudi officials over corruption allegations, warning of possible “unfair legal proceedings” in an opaque judicial system.

Military and judicial officials were among those arrested over allegations of bribery and embezzlement amounting to a total of 379 million riyals ($101 million), according to the state anti-corruption watchdog.

The watchdog said the arrests came after it criminally investigated 674 state employees, but it neither named any of the suspects nor stated when its probe took place.

A campaign against graft launched in 2017 saw hundreds of elite princes, ministers and businessmen detained at the luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel in the capital Riyadh.

Many were held there for weeks and most were subsequently released after agreeing to significant financial settlements. Authorities said they recovered more than 400 billion Saudi riyals ($107 billion).

The anti-graft sweep led by Prince Mohammed was labeled by many critics as a shakedown and a power grab.

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Tourism sector gets a much-needed boost as corona cases declined

The coronavirus-hit tourism sector of the country got a much-needed boost during the past week as tourists swarmed in from all over the country to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's cooler tourist resorts to have fun.

The government recently reopened the tourism industry which was welcome news for millions in Pakistan who had to stay indoors for the past five to six months after provincial governments imposed lockdowns to curb the virus from spreading.

In the post-lock down situation this year, the trend of the last 10 days showed that the inflow of tourists in KP has posted an almost 100% growth, with an average of 50,000 tourists visiting the northern areas of the country each day as compared to the 25,000 in the corresponding period.

However, there is another side of the picture. As tourists continue to arrive at the tourist locations in large numbers, fears of a second wave of the coronavirus have started to hover as people exhibit irresponsible behaviour towards the precautionary measures. Many were found ignoring the SOPs and violating social distancing rules, not wearing masks and not using hand sanitisers.

The Kaghan Development Authority reportedly imposed a smart lockdown in various areas the other day and sealed several hotels and restaurants in view of the violations of guidelines by tourists.

However, reports said that some of the hotels reopened after a disinfection drive.

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Maryam Nawaz appears before IHC in Avenfield review petition

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday to attend a hearing of the Avenfield Apartments review petition.

The IHC will hear appeals filed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law captain Muhammad Safdar against their conviction in the Avenfield reference.

The entry of non-relevant persons, including PML-N workers and supporters, will not be allowed inside the courtroom. Party workers will be kept away from the IHC building.

Maryam briefly stopped at Bara Kahu where a large number of PML-N workers had gathered to welcome her.

The petition is expected to be taken up by the court by 11:30am.

Maryam's father, former prime minister Nawaz, had sought exemption from attending the hearing, while Maryam and Safdar had filed a request for adjournment. All three — Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar — are out on bail in the case.

In July 2018, PML-N supremo Nawaz had been sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped with an £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the Avenfield properties reference while Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million).

The Avenfield properties reference was one of three filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) the preceding year in light of the Supreme Court's verdict against Nawaz in the Panama Papers case. The reference pertained to the ownership of the Sharif family's apartments at Avenfield House, London.

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