According to sources, GVS team spoke with, Kulsum Nawaz, wife of Pakistan’s disqualified ex-premier, Nawaz Sharif, is in London to resolve family tensions and financial disputes with sons. Reportedly both sons Hassan and Hussain had left Pakistan after JIT hearings and before the Supreme Court decision of July 28. They both are UK citizens and are worried for any possible action against the properties and assets there – in case Pakistani authorities, investigating corruption charges, like NAB, request British authorities.
Sources, on strict conditions of confidentiality, reveal that media reports and impressions of Kulsum Nawaz being seriously ill or running away from challenges of NA-120 elections are not true. She is in UK to exercise her influence on sons to resolve whatever tensions now exist after the supreme court decision and ordering of NAB references.
However other sources argue that, despite Supreme Court ordering NAB references for corruption trials against the Sharif family on properties including the Avenfield Apartments, Sharifs face no immediate threat of action by the British authorities.
Nawaz sons – Hussain and Hassan – who had been grilled by the JIT multiple times, left Pakistan before the court verdict. Hussein departed to Qatar on July 6th while Hassan left for Dubai on July 13th. Both sons are British citizens and are eager to take steps to secure their interests in properties there. Sources insist that Nawaz’s daughter, Maryam, is completely loyal to her father and has reprimanded her brothers for behaving irresponsibly at a time when their ailing father is in a difficult spot.
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However other sources argue that, despite Supreme Court ordering NAB references for corruption trials against the Sharif family on properties including the Avenfield Apartments, Sharifs face no immediate threat of action by the British authorities. Lawyers in Pakistan will fight corruption charges at all levels, decisions of accountability court, if not favorable will be appealed exhausting all legal options up to Supreme Court – and defense of property in criminal matters has far greater latitude in law than was available to Nawaz Sharif as top office holder in supreme court.
Media reports had earlier suggested that ex-premier, Nawaz Sharif also plans to leave for the U.K on 24th August to spend time with his family. Could he be there to help resolve these family tensions?
These sources argue that Sharif family has enough time and space to seek political resolutions that may influence the nature of references, trial and appeal process. They also point out that despite supreme court orders for trials, no Pakistani institution has written to British authorities seeking any help. And Nawaz Sharif family and PML-N are successful in planting stories in international media suggesting that Sharif family is merely facing a political witch hunt. Given these impressions, Pakistani government, even if seeks British government help, will face an uphill task against Sharifs in UK courts where family will mount a strong defense of its financial interests.
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Media reports had earlier suggested that ex-premier, Nawaz Sharif also plans to leave for the U.K on 24th August to spend time with his family. Could he be there to help resolve these family tensions? Coming events in the next few days may help understand these developments better.