On Tuesday, The Islamabad High Court (IHC) said former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should surrender and “appear before the court” at the next hearing, scheduled for September 10.
Khawaja Harris Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer appeared before the court and whereas prosecutor Jahanzeb Bharwana and Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi appeared before the court on behalf of NAB. A two-member special bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the petitions against the sentences of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Captain (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia Steel Mills references.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif will go straight to prison upon return: Fawad Chaudhary
The court said, “We are not passing the final verdict as of yet, We are giving you [Nawaz] last chance to surrender before the next hearing. Nawaz Sharif should appear before the court in any case.”
Nawaz’s counsel said that that the court is not giving an opportunity to explain the reason for not appearing in court. “Don’t give a surrender date today, have a hearing next week”.
Justice Kayani replied for this, “Let us know if you fear any arrest at the airport, we will pass a written order in this regard. The court would also issue appropriate order on Nawaz Sharif’s request for exemption from attendance.”
Islamabad High Court Tells Nawaz Sharif to Surrender by Sept 10
The hearing of the case has been postponed till 10 September while Maryam and Captain Safdar appeal in Avenfield reference would be heard on September 23. Furthermore, the court barred Maryam Nawaz from appearing in court for the next hearing.
However, in the proceeding, Nawaz’s counsel prayed before the court that the former premier was not medically fit to return to Pakistan. It also said that petition in this concern is pending in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Khawaja Harris replied “Punjab government rejected Nawaz Sharif’s bail plea,” For this, the court inquired that Shouldn’t Nawaz Sharif have surrendered to the court after his bail had expired. “Nawaz Sharif’s case is unique, I will give detailed information on the condition of non-surrender to court,” the counsel replied.
“The Punjab government formed a medical board which had said that Nawaz Sharif could not be treated here.”
However, Maryam said that no one wants to stay away from his country especially at this stage of life, he is very eager to return to Pakistan and he will return once his treatment is over.
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