IHC suspends Nawaz's sentence on medical grounds for eight weeks in Al-Azizia Steel Mills case.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday granted bail to former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, suspending his sentence for eight weeks on medical grounds.

A two-member judge bench comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Mohsin Akhtar Kayani reserved the verdict earlier on Tuesday on the plea filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif seeking the suspension of his brother's sentence in the case.

In its verdict, the high court ordered that if Nawaz Sharif's condition does not improve in eight weeks, then the Punjab provincial government should be approached for a bail extension. The former prime minister was asked to submit two bail bonds worth Rs2 million.

Nawaz Sharif will have to go to jail if he does not contact the Punjab government after eight weeks, the court announced.

The verdict had been reserved for a short period before it was announced on Tuesday.

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

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

To this, Harris 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 Harris.

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

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

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

Harris 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 the decision," he had said.

Additional Prosecutor National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Jehanzeb Bharwana opposed Nawaz Sharif's treatment abroad and permanent bail in the case, saying that a bail for specified period can be granted to him. The opinion of doctors is respectable as they are the experts, however, they have not said that ex-PM's treatment is not possible in Pakistan, the NAB maintained.

Meanwhile, Justice Aamir Farooq said, 'We have four options in this case. First, we can grant permanent bail to Nawaz Sharif. Second, we can approve Nawaz's bail for specified time period. Third, we can forward his bail plea matter to Punjab government and fourth, we can also dispose of his petition.'

As the hearing resumed on Tuesday, Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar appeared before the bench on court...