IHC suspends Nawaz's sentence on medical grounds for 8 weeks in Al Azizia case.

Byline: Tahir Naseer

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday suspended the sentence of former premier Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds for eight weeks in the Al Azizia case.

A plea for bail had been filed by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif for his brother Nawaz, who is under treatment at Lahore's Services Hospital. The verdict had been reserved for a short period before it was announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The court, in its order, said that two surety bonds of Rs2 million each will have to be submitted to the court to secure Nawaz's release. The court further announced that for an extension in bail, the Punjab government should be approached.

Nawaz last week procured bail on medical grounds in the ongoing Chaudhry Sugar Mills case from the Lahore High Court.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, heard the appeal today.

Four options

Before the verdict was reserved, Justice Farooq had asked Nawaz's counsel, Khawaja Haris, whether the president can grant amnesty to Nawaz before the bail plea is announced.

To this, Haris had replied: "He can invoke his presidential powers at any time. However, customarily, all forums are first approached."

The court had observed that NAB seemed to be the only party with a clear stance on the matter and that the federal and provincial government were refraining from taking up a position.

"On which condition should we grant you bail?" Justice Farooq had asked Haris.

"On whichever condition that can give Nawaz Sharif a chance to recover," he had replied.

The court had then presented Nawaz's counsel with four options:

To forward the matter to the executive

To suspend the sentence in accordance with the time frame recommended by NAB

Approve the petitioner's application

Reject the application

In response, Haris had said it would not be advisable to forward the matter to a government which is "utterly against the Sharifs".

At this, Justice Kiyani had said: "The prime minister and chief minister do not belong to a party. They belong to the entire country and province."

Haris had then pointed out that the attorney general had even objected to the interim bail granted to Nawaz.

"We have come to the court. Kindly decide the matter in accordance with the law," the counsel had requested.

Justice Kiyani had said that if the government decides on the matter "it won't be termed a deal".

The counsel had reiterated the request for the court to decide the matter. "We will respect...