IHC suspends Nawaz's sentence on medical grounds for 8 weeks

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday suspended the sentence of former premier Nawaz Sharif 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. 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. 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. 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 the decision," he had said. Subsequently, the court had reserved the verdict.

Earlier during the hearing, the court had asked doctors, who are part of the medical board overseeing Nawaz's treatment, if it was possible for Nawaz to recover without staying in the hospital. The doctors had responded in the negative and said that the PML-N supremo required medical supervision at all times. The board had informed the court that Nawaz had been given 80 injections in order to bring his platelet count - which was reported to have dropped to dangerous levels - to normal.