LAHORE: An accountability court on Thursday expressed annoyance over non-appearance of the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Shahbaz Sharif, and questioned his participation in the meetings of the Public

Accounts Committee (PAC) in Islamabad despite his ‘excuse’ of bad health.

The court was set to indict Mr Sharif in Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme case on Thursday. However, a reply submitted by the Kot Lakhpat Jail superintendent stated that Mr Sharif was in Islamabad and had been receiving medical treatment. It also said Mr Sharif was busy in Islamabad being PAC chairman.

Judge Syed Najamul Hassan Bokhari observed that it was stated that Mr Sharif was not in good health, but he had been presiding over PAC meetings. “How can an ailing person hold meetings,” the judge asked.

Mr Sharif’s counsel Advocate Amjad Pervez stated that a medical board of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Islamabad, had advised his client to avoid long-distance traveling as he was a cancer patient. At this, the judge asked the defence counsel, “Are doctors not available in Lahore,” .

A NAB prosecutor told the court that the suspect, being chairman of the PAC, convened meetings and himself issued notifications for his (prosecutor’s) appearance there.

To a court query, he said the jail officials were responsible for ensuring production of the suspect, since he was on judicial remand.

The judge observed that the medical reports suggested that the suspect’s health was improving, but suddenly he fell sick again.

The judge directed the defence counsel to ensure appearance of his client on the next hearing.

“Bring him (Shahbaz) by air ambulance if he cannot travel by road,” added the judge and warned the counsel of an adverse order if the suspect failed to appear on Feb 18.

The judge also directed the NAB to file reference in Ramzan Sugar Mill case within a week.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2019