IHC to hear Nawaz’s appeal against Al-Azizia reference today

Nawaz requested court to give early verdict on appeal in view of Judge Arshad Malik’s video scandal

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear former premier Nawaz Sharif’s appeal against his sentence in Al-Aziza reference on Monday (today).

Two-member bench of IHC headed by Justice Amir Farooq will conduct the hearing.

Nawaz has requested the court to give an early verdict on the appeal in view of Judge Arshad Malik’s video scandal.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB’s) appeals for increase in sentence of Al-Azizia reference and challenging former premier’s acquittal in Flagship reference will also be heard today.

The main character of Judge Arshad Malik video scandal Nasir Butt’s appeal for verification of judge's audio and video forensic report and transcript from Pakistani High Commission London will also be heard today.



Nasir Butt has also filed a joint petition to become a party in Nawaz’s appeal.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief had also filed a petition through his counsel for exemption from hearing before the court due to health reasons.

The petition said that the former premier’s sentence had been suspended for eight weeks and that he had gone abroad with the permission of Lahore High Court. Therefore, he could not appear before the court.

It was further stated that Ibrahim Haroon Advocate would appear before the court on his behalf.

Accountability court Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik had on December 24 convicted Nawaz in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills Company (ASCL) and Hill Metal Establishment (HME) reference and awarded him seven years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million.