ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Capt (Retd) Safdar Awan in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
The arrest was made in light of the accountability court’s judgment in Avenfield reference against him, his wife Maryam Nawaz and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Safdar was sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment on Friday.
The former first son-in-law was, however, allowed to address his supporters, who had gathered to protest against the verdict. He will be presented before the accountability court on Monday morning.
He was taken into custody by two high-ranking NAB officials, who accompanied Safdar in his vehicle surrounded by thousands of party supporters.
Sources disclosed that Safdar will be shifted into NAB’s vehicle after arriving at the election office of PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi.
Earlier, he had announced to surrender himself before the authorities at Liaquat Bagh.
A large number of PML-N supporters and members including Chaudhry Tanveerm Daniyal Chaudhry, Shaikh Arsalan, Arsalan Hafeez and Malik Shakeel, Capt (Retd) Safdar were present in the rally that headed towards the party’s office at 6th road in Rawalpindi.
Earlier in the day, Capt Safdar said in an audio message that he will comply with the party’s decision and offer himself for arrest. “Initially I had planned to surrender in Mansehra but will be surrendering from a different city in accordance with the party’s plan,” he said. “It is a matter of honour to present myself before the authorities. I will respect party’s decision.”
On Saturday, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) sent teams to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to arrest Safdar following an accountability court verdict sentencing him to one-year imprisonment in the Avenfield Apartments reference.
After conducting raids at Safdar’s properties in Abbottabad, Haripur and Mansehra, the teams were deputed in the cities until his arrest. The K-P administration and police are fully cooperating with NAB, bureau sources disclosed.