Islamabad sources reported that Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader was arrested from the courtroom for having investments beyond his declared assets in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference and the court acquitted Sharif in the Flagship Investments case. Meanwhile Judge Arshad Malik also imposed a $2.5 million fine on Sharif after ruling that Al-Azizia Steel Mills a Saudi Arabian firm carrying the name of his son belonged to the former Prime Minister and that he was unable to demonstrate how the project was funded.
Accordingly his sons, Hassan and Hussain, were declared absconders and Sharif was expected to appeal against his latest conviction. Furthermore following the verdict announcement, PML-N supporters clashed with security personnel. Tear gas and baton charge were used to disperse the protesters. Meanwhile security around the Judicial Complex in Islamabad was increased ahead of the verdict, with at least 1,400 personnel deployed in and around the court premises. All routes leading to the court were also sealed.
Moreover the trial against the Sharifs commenced on September 14, 2017 after Pakistan's anti-corruption body filed three cases relating to the Avenfield, Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, and offshore companies including Flagship Investment Limited on the Supreme Court's directives in the landmark Panamagate verdict. Reportedly his sons are accused in all three references whereas daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar were accused in the Avenfield reference only.
