IHC grants interim bail to Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds till Oct 29

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – A two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted interim bail to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and suspended his sentence on medical grounds till October 29 in the Al-Azizia reference case. Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the plea. The court ordered to submit two surety bonds worth Rs two million each. The court also summoned Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar in person. It also sought a report on all prisoners from provincial governments. After resumption of the hearing for fourth time, the NAB prosecutor told court that they do not oppose the bail on humanitarian grounds. Earlier, Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the court will reject the bail if the government opposes the bail. “The NAB and the government will be held responsible if anything happens to Nawaz Sharif,” he remarked. He remarked that all ministers were issuing the statements to shift the responsibility onto courts. “The government should clearly give the reply either positive or negative,” he said. The additional attorney general said that the federal government had no role in the matter. The court asked the additional attorney general either to take responsibility or oppose the bail. Earlier adjournment of the hearing till 4pm, counsel for Nawaz Sharif told court that Nawaz had suffered a minor heart attack last night and his condition had worsened further. “There is a threat to his life,” he said. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the provincial government can suspend the sentence of a convict on medical grounds. The court issued notices to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, asking them to appoint their representative and send him to court till 4pm.