Daily Times

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard Al-Azizia and Avenfield references against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif. During the hearing, the representative of federation has told that the government has received important documents from Pakistan High Commission in London on the arrest warrant of Nawaz Sharif. The documents have been submitted in the court for further proceedings, he stated. Moreover, the hearing has been adjourned till October 7. Earlier, the court had begun proceedings to declare Nawaz Sharif as proclaimed offender in Al-Azizia and Avenfield references and decided to record testimonies of the officers who were given task for implementation of arrest warrant of Nawaz Sharif through United Kingdom’s County Court. Notices to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and federal government were also issued to submit reply till October 7.

IHC judge Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani remarked that Nawaz Sharif’s behavior is shameful. PML-N supremo’s departure to UK is an insult to the entire system, he added.

IHC had issued non-bailable arrest warrant against Nawaz Sharif for September 22 and rejected his plea seeking exemption from the hearing. The court had also directed the concerned authorities to initiate proceedings to declare him as proclaimed offender. PML-N supremo’s petition to continue the case hearings through legal representative was also turned down by the IHC. Nawaz Sharif had requested the IHC to nullify its ruling and allow him to become a part of the court proceedings through his representative. Nawaz Sharif made the request on medical grounds. It is pertinent here to mention that the IHC had ordered Nawaz Sharif to surrender and appear on September 10 at any cost in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani had said in his remarks, “Nawaz Sharif has to appear before the court for hearing. He may face additional three-year imprisonment if he is absconder in the reference. Skipping appearances in the trial is also a crime.”