Nawaz Sharif’s protective bail extended till Thursday

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday extended Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s protective bail, which he secured before his return to Pakistan from self-imposed exile in London, ARY News reported.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended the three-time prime minister’s protective bail in Avenfield and Al-Azizia cases till October 26 (Thursday).

The bail – which Nawaz Sharif secured on October 19 – removed the threat of arrest when he returned to the country from self-imposed exile in London this weekend.

A division bench of the high court, comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb, heard the petition seeking restoration of his appeals against his sentence in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references.

The court while adjourning the hearing of the case instructed the PML-N lawyers to ask their client to bring less people along.

The court also issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Nawaz Sharif’s application for restoration of his appeals.

Read More: Nawaz Sharif gets protective bail in Avenfield, Al-Azizia cases

The NAB prosecutor told the court that Nawaz Sharif’s arrest was not required and also did not object to an extension in his protective bail.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif accompanied his brother to the court, while party leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Asif, Rana Tanveer and Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha are present inside as well. Outside, PML-N supporters raised slogans in favour the PML-N supremo.

Earlier in the day, an accountability court in Islamabad granted bail to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana case.

Nawaz Sharif is accused of allegedly obtaining luxury vehicles from the treasury (Toshakhana) by paying 15 per cent of the actual price.

In 2020, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was declared ‘proclaimed offender’ in the Toshakhana reference by an accountability court and his permanent arrest warrant was also issued for his continued non-appearance.

Convictions

Nawaz Sharif was convicted by accountability courts in Avenfield and Al-Azizia references.

The accountability court had awarded 10 years jail term with eight million Pounds fine to Nawaz Sharif in Avenfield case and 07 years sentence in Al-Azizia reference.

The court had also disqualified Sharif for holding public office for 10 years.

However, in 2019, his sentence in Al-Azizia reference was suspended by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on medical grounds. He was then permitted to fly to London on medical grounds.