The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has given last chance to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan.

The IHC has given Sharif until September 9 to surrender before the court. The high court stated that they are not declaring the former PM an absconder today. However, the court said that if he does not appear in the next hearing, he will be declared an absconder.

Sharif's counsel Khawaja Harris requested the bench not to issue a deadline, adding that the court may issue it next week. The court said that if Sharif fears that he will be arrested in the airport upon his arrival, the court will bar the National Accountability Bureau from arresting him.

Court saves Nawaz in Flagship case, gives 7 years jail time in Al-Azizia reference

Sharif has been in London since November, where he is getting medical treatment. In 2018, an accountability court convicted the former PM in Al-Azizia reference and awarded him seven years jail time.

The court indicted him under Section 9(a)(v) of the National Accountability Ordinance in the Al-Azizia reference.