LAHORE: A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Monday gave last opportunity to prosecution for filing reply to an appeal filed by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi against his conviction in ephedrine case.

The bench observed that it would not grant any further opportunity for filing reply on the next date of hearing while adjourning the matter till March 28. The court also directed parties for advancing arguments on civil miscellaneous applications on next hearing.

The bench comprising Justice Miss Aalia Neelum and Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar heard the appeal wherein the prosecution requested the court for giving an opportunity for filing the reply at the outset of the proceedings.

Abbasi through his appeal had requested the bench to set aside his conviction and order release as the trial court had failed to appreciate facts of the case.

He also pleaded for suspension of the sentence and release on bail till final decision of the appeal.

In July 2018, an anti-narcotics court sentenced Abbasi to life in prison in the eight-year-old ephedrine quota case.