IHC to hear Nawaz’s plea against Al-Azizia conviction on October 29

NAB appeal for an extension of the former prime minister's sentence will be heard on same date

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday fixed October 29 for the hearing of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's plea against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference.

The registrar's office also issued the same date - October 29 - for the hearing of National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) appeal for an extension of the former prime minister's sentence.

The appeals will be heard by an IHC bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.

Regarding the judge Arshad Malik video scandal, the court has issued a notice to NAB - on Nawaz's request - to submit a written response within two weeks.

Nawaz challenges Supreme Court ruling in judge video case

Earlier this month, Nawaz Sharif challenged the Supreme Court’s decision in the case regarding a secretly filmed video of former accountability court judge Arshad Malik, who convicted the Pakistan Mulsim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supremo in the Al-Azizia corruption reference.

In August, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa disposed of a set of identical petitions in the video case and ruled that the clip could only become evidence if its authenticity was established.

The SC also laid down strict standards for the admissibility of video and audio evidence before the court of law.