LHC seeks arguments on maintainability of Hamza's bail plea

A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Tuesday sought arguments on the maintainability of the second post arrest bail petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) leader Hamza Shehbaz in assets beyond means case over fresh grounds of being vulnerable to being infected by coronavirus in prison. The bench comprising Justice Sardar Ahmad Naeem and Justice Farooq Haider heard the petition filed by PML N leader. As the proceedings started, Justice Sardar Ahmad Naeem observed that the Supreme Court had suspended decisions of all high courts for the release of the prisoners. To this, the petitioner’s counsel Advocate Amjad Pervaiz requested the court to adjourn proceedings till April 6. At this, the bench questioned Amjad Pervaiz how the petition was maintainable. Amjad Pervaiz replied that Advocate Azam Nazir Tarar would assist the court over the issue on the next date of hearing. Subsequently, the bench adjourned the hearing till April 7 and sought arguments on maintainability of plea. It may be mentioned here that Hamza Shehbaz had submitted that coronavirus was spreading all over the world, including Pakistan. He submitted that as per media reports, there were suspected patients in jails and expressed apprehension that he might get infected with coronavirus in prison. He mentioned that the LHC had already directed authorities concerned for filing bail applications of prisoners in the wake of the pandemic and pleaded the court for granting him post arrest bail in the corruption case against him. It is pertinent to mention here that the LHC had earlier dismissed the PML N leader’s post arrest bail petition. However, he has been granted bail in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case