Zubair Qureshi
Islamabad
The Islamabad High Court on Saturday fixed the hearing for an appeal filed by former prime minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N Nawaz Sharif, against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference for September 1.
On the other hand, the National Accountability Bureau’s appeal against the former premier’s sentence extension and acquittal in the Flagship Investment reference had also been fixed for hearing.
The court would conduct the final hearing in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference on September 18. The IHC bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani will hear the appeals.
Former Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik who has been removed for his alleged involvement in a video scandal had pronounced the verdicts of Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship references.
The judge was later sacked following a video scandal in which he could be seen confessing that he had been blackmailed into convicting Nawaz.
Agencies add: The National Accountability Bureau will approach an accountability court to declare former prime minister Nawaz Sharif a proclaimed offender in a reference accusing him of receiving luxury vehicles and gifts from Toshakhana, sources said on Saturday.
Sources privy to the development said the National Accountability Bureau will file an appeal in accountability court to declare Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif proclaimed offender in Toshakhana case.
The anti-graft body has also decided to inform the IHC that PML-N supremo is absconding. The bureau will file an appeal in Islamabad High Court for implementation on Nawaz’s sentence in Al Azizia reference, said NAB sources.
The NAB said that the bail granted to the former premier has become ineffective, and he was apparently an absconder now.
Sources further said that the anti-corruption watchdog will approach the British government through Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for the deportation of former prime minister.
