ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has secured a brief respite as the Accountability Court of Islamabad has suspended the perpetual warrant against him in the Toshakhana reference until October 24.
This decision came in response to an application for protective bail filed by Nawaz Sharif’s legal team. On Wednesday, lawyers representing Nawaz Sharif submitted a plea for protective bail in the Accountability Court, requesting the suspension of the perpetual warrant that was hanging over him. The court had issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) regarding this application.
On Thursday, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir presided over the hearing of Nawaz Sharif’s bail plea. During the hearing, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer, Qazi Misbah, and the NAB prosecutor appeared in court.
In defence of the plea, Qazi Misbah stated that Nawaz Sharif had left the country four months before the reference was filed, and he is eager to appear before the accountability court. Suspending the warrant would facilitate his court appearance.
Furthermore, Qazi Misbah emphasized that the trial against Nawaz Sharif in the accountability court is still in its initial stages, with appeals pending in other cases.
Judge Muhammad Bashir inquired about the status of other accused individuals in the case, to which Qazi Misbah responded that no other individuals have been arrested in this particular case. When asked about Asif Zardari and other accused, Qazi Misbah clarified that they are appearing in court through representatives.
Qazi Misbah stated that he would present detailed arguments on October 24, as Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan on October 21 and should be allowed to appear in the court.
During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor explained that Nawaz Sharif has sought two reliefs in his application, indicating his intention to surrender before the court. The prosecutor suggested suspending the warrant until October 24 to accommodate Nawaz Sharif’s appearance.
After considering the arguments from both sides, the accountability court reserved its decision on the application for protective bail.
