Court confirms interim bails of PM Shehbaz, CM Hamza.

LAHORE -- A special court on Saturday confirmed interim bails of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and others in a case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against them.

The court ordered the prime minister and chief minister to furnish surety bonds of Rs 1 million each for availing the relief.

The court also ordered the co-accused for furnishing surety bonds of Rs 200,000 each within seven days for the purpose.

Special Judge Central Ijaz Hassan Awan announced the decision on pre-arrest bail petitions, filed by PM Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab CM Hamza Shehbaz and others. The court had reserved its verdict after hearing detailed arguments of the parties, earlier in the day.

During the proceedings, Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz and others appeared before the court and got their attendance marked.

FIA Prosecutor Farooq Bajwa submitted a report about arrest warrants of Suleman Shehbaz, Malik Maqsood, and Tahir Naqvi. He submitted that the accused were not available at their given addresses.

The court observed that media had broadcast news about death of accused Malik Maqsood. Whether the news was correct, it questioned.

To which, the prosecutor replied that a letter had been written to Interpol for confirmation of the death. He submitted that after receiving Interpol reply, the court would be informed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif came to the rostrum and sought permission for briefing the court about the case facts. He submitted that the FIA officials twice visited him in jail and he verbally briefed them about all facts. He submitted that all cases against him were decided on merit and he was cleared.

Shehbaz Sharif submitted that serious allegations were levelled against him and he attended...