Hearing on plea filed by Shehbaz for Nawaz's release on bail adjourned till today.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday adjourned the hearing on a petition seeking former premier Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's release on bail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference case till today (Friday) after removing administrative objections raised by its registrar office on a condition that PML-N supremo's signature were required before proceedings.

The petition has been filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif seeking his elder brother's release on bail in the Al-Azizia reference case in which the latter has been serving a seven-year sentence in Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Shehbaz Sharif as a petitioner contended that Nawaz Sharif needed to get proper medical treatment either in Pakistan or abroad. Sharif's release on bail also implies suspension of his seven-year sentence in the same case.

A IHC's two-member bench comprising of Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani are scheduled to preside over the hearing of the petition despite the registrar office had earlier raised administrative objections to it that the petitioner Shehbaz Sharif was not the affected party in the case.

On Thursday, while removing objections, Justice Aamer Farooq asked from the petitioner's advocate: 'What would happen if Nawaz Sharif says that he had not filed any petition? [...] we are removing objections but make sure to have Sharif's signature.' 'We will...