ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended protective bail of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s leader Nawaz Sharif till October 26 in Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield Property references.

Court also sought comments from National Accountability Court in petitions seeking revival of Nawaz Sharif’s appeals against his conviction in two references.

Two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard case wherein former Prime Minister appeared along with his legal team. At outset of hearing, Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Azam Nazir Tarar said that petitioner had not skipped his appearances deliberately, he travelled abroad for medical treatment with consent of this court and his medical reports had been submitted regulatory.

Addressing lawyer, Chief Justice remarked that now we have to issue notice to listen NAB. Revival of appeals is not matter of routine, you have to satisfy why petitioner had been absent from court, he said. Azam Nazir Tarar requested for extension of protective bail and said that this is case of first impression, extend our protective bail order for few days. He said that Accountability Court had abolished status of absconder for petitioner.

Chief Justice questioned whether bureau wanted to arrest Nawaz Sharif and if it has an objection on extension of his protective bail. NAB prosecutor replied that his department had no objection on it. Chief Justice said that NAB could withdraw its references against petitioner if it considered these were filed wrongly.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb asked NAB prosecutor general to inform court after taking instructions from chairman NAB. Bench served notices to NAB and adjourned further hearing of case.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 25 2023

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