Hearing on Monday: Nawaz seeks bail on medical grounds

Former premier asks court to grant bail till IHC decides on appeal against Al Azizia verdict

ISLAMABAD: A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) will take up on Monday (tomorrow) a bail application filed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif over his conviction in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case.

The bench, comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice MohsinAkhter Kiyani, will hear the petition, which also seeks suspension of imprisonment sentence handed down to Nawaz by an accountability court.

The former prime minister filed a petition on Saturday through his counsel Khawaja Haris, seeking bail on medical grounds. The petitioner also attached his medical reports with the plea.

The petitioner stated that he suffered from cardiac problems and had undergone three surgeries. The petition said Nawaz had already filed an appeal with the IHC, challenging the trial court’s verdict in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case.

He prayed the bench to grant bail till the judgment on his appeal. The petitioner nominated the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the accountability court and the superintendent of the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore as respondents in his plea.

The IHC had earlier fixed February 18 to hear Nawaz’s appeals for suspension of the sentence and challenging the accountability court verdict announced on December 24.