Nawaz, Maryam get exemption for two more days

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Monday granted two-day exemption to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz from personal appearance.

Mr. Sharif along with his daughter is in London and taking care of his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz who is said to be still on life-support machines at a hospital there.

Judge Muhammad Bashir turned down a request by the former premier and his daughter to grant exemption for seven days.

They moved an application through their lawyer seeking exemption from court appearance.

A verified medical report of Kulsoom was also annexed with the application, which stated she is still on a ventilator and that her condition is getting better with the march of time.

NAB prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi opposed the plea, contending that the former premier and his daughter should return as Kulsoom’s condition is improving as per her medical report.

He argued that only one or two days’ exemption is granted to allow someone some time to show up, but seeking exemption for seven days at every hearing isn’t permissible under law.

On June 25, the accountability judge had granted three-day exemption to Mr. Sharif and his daughter from personal appearance.