The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted one-day exemption from personal appearance to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the hearing of his appeal against conviction in the Al-Azizia reference on Tuesday. A division bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani took up an application filed by the PML-N supreme leader seeking exemption from personal appearance.
Sher Afgan, the counsel for Sharif informed the bench that Supreme Court has granted bail to his client on medical ground. Given the poor health condition of Sharif, the counsel requested the bench to grant his client exemption from hearing. He also prayed the court to adjourn hearing till next date.
Justice Farooq remarked that the petitioner's counsel was supposed to give arguments on Sharif's main appeal in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference. At this, Afgan said that he couldn't get the paper-book of the case due to which he couldn't give arguments.
Expressing dissatisfaction, Justice Farooq expressed displeasure and told him to give logical argument as he was standing in courtroom. However, the bench accepted Sharif's request for one day exemption from appearing before the court due to his ailment.
The court adjourned the hearing till April 23. The same bench also adjourned National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) appeal in Flagship Investment reference till April 29. In his application, a day ago, Sharif stated that Supreme Court has granted him a six-week bail on health ground. He said he is being treated at Sharif Medical City Hospital in Lahore.
He further stated said he has to undergo multiple tests on a daily basis due to which he is not in a position to appear in the court, and may be granted exemption from personal appearance during the hearing of the case. Sharif was released from Kot Lakhpat Jail last month after the Supreme Court granted him bail for six weeks to obtain medical treatment.
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa granted the former premier bail for six weeks on medical grounds. The court ruled that Nawaz will not be allowed to leave the country for treatment and directed him to submit two bail bonds amounting to Rs10 million.
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