The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after the latter withdrew the plea seeking bail and suspension of his sentence in Al-Azizia reference.
The court directed Khawaja Haris, counsel for Nawaz Sharif, to satisfy the court on legal points. A two-member bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani heard the petition. Nawaz Sharif has filed a new petition seeking suspension of his sentence on medical grounds, while he has prayed the court to withdraw his earlier petition for bail in the case.
The former prime minister had filed the petition as well as an appeal against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference and this is fixed for hearing on February 18. Sharif's lawyer said in the court that he will give detailed arguments to satisfy the judges as to why his client wanted to pursue his bail plea on the medical reasons.
Accountability Court convicted Nawaz Sharif on December 24 last year in the Al-Azizia/Hills Metals Establishment reference and awarded him seven years imprisonment, besides imposing a fine of Rs 1.5 billion and $25 million. Meanwhile, the NAB has also filed appeals in the IHC, seeking enhancement of Nawaz Sharif's sentence from seven to 14 years. The NAB has also challenged Nawaz Sharif's acquittal in the Flagship Investment reference. The court will now hear Nawaz Sharif's plea for bail on medical grounds today (Tuesday).