ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted protective bail to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Memon in a corruption case. A two-member bench, comprising of Justice Athar Minallah and Mohsin Kiyani, heard the Rs five billion and 77 crore corruption case against Memon. During the hearing, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor Muzafar Abbasi opposed the bail and said that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had rejected such a plea filed by the accused. He argued that the accused did not appear before any inquiry team during the last two years. The bench remarked that according to several verdicts, there was no issue in granting bail to someone who surrenders himself before court. After hearing the arguments, the court granted a 15-day protective bail to the PPP leader against surety bonds of Rs 2 million. Talking to media outside the court, Memon thanked the IHC. “The reference which was prepared in October 2016 against me was filed in my absence,” said Memon. “Chaudhry Nisar & Company” were working against me.” He affirmed to face all the baseless cases filed against him. He said there was no case against him two-year ago, saying that these cases were prepared in his absence. PPP leader Farooq H Naek said today it had been proved that the PPP workers always face courts. Criticising NAB, he said the department should stop victimising political parties.