Punjab Cabinet suspends Nawaz Sharif’s sentence in Al-Azizia reference

LAHORE: In a recent development, the Punjab Cabinet has taken the decision to suspend the sentence of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference.

This decision was made under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as confirmed by government sources.

Appeals filed for reinstatement in Avenfield and Al-Azizia references

Notably, this suspension was not a new development, as it had already been in effect before Nawaz Sharif’s departure to London in 2019.

Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir confirmed the Punjab cabinet’s move, saying the decision was taken while exercising its constitutional powers under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedural Code (CPC), which also authorises it to pardon any offender.

The approval was given through a circulation summary.

“The final decision of the case will be taken by the court itself,” he added.

Section 401 of the Criminal Procedural Code grants the government the authority to temporarily suspend the sentence of any individual convicted of a criminal offense.