LAHORE: An accountability court on Saturday allowed applications of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz, the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, and adjourned proceedings in Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases.

Advocate Amjad Pervaiz appeared on behalf of Shahbaz and told the court that his client was out of country for medical reasons. He sought a two-week exemption from personal appearance for Mr Shahbaz and filed a written application to this effect.

Judge Jawadul Hassan asked the counsel whether he could guarantee appearance of his client after two weeks. The counsel said he was hopeful that Mr Shahbaz would return after completion of his medical treatment.

National Accountability Bureau prosecutor Waris Ali Janjua opposed the application and contended that Shahbaz had not been appearing for the last three hearings.

Meanwhile, Advocate Ata Tarar also filed an application of exemption from personal appearance on behalf of Hamza, saying his client was unwell and unable to attend the court.

The judge allowed applications of both Shahbaz and Hamza and adjourned further hearing till May 25. Shahbaz was released on post-arrest bail in the housing scheme case, while Hamza was on pre-arrest bail in the sugar mills case.

Police ensured strict security arrangements outside the judicial complex and also blocked adjoining roads for routine traffic. The litigant public was also denied entry to the complex.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2019