LAHORE: An accountability court was told on Saturday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif would return to the country after Eidul Fitr.

Mr Sharif’s counsel, Amjad Pervaiz, told the court that the medical treatment and tests of his client had been conducted in London but its record was not available in Pakistan. The lawyer said his client would return after Eidul Fitr as he had an appointment with his doctor on June 7.

In London, Mr Sharif told reporters that reports of his medical tests were satisfactory and he was in good health. He said the opposition parties would jointly finalise the strategy of protest against Imran Khan’s government after Eid.

Lawyer asked to tell exact date of PML-N leader’s return

The court asked Mr Pervaiz to tell it the exact date of Mr Sharif’s return to Pakistan.

The presiding judge, Jawadul Hassan, observed that the court had already showed much leniency to Mr Sharif and given him a 15-day exemption from personal appearance.

The judge was hearing the Ashiyana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases involving Mr Sharif.

His son, Hamza Shahbaz, appeared before the court for his alleged involvement in the sugar mill case.

Advocate Amjad Pervaiz said he was not seeking a permanent exemption from appearance for Mr Sharif, but a temporary relief for two or three weeks. He claimed that the absence of Mr Sharif would not affect the trial proceedings.

National Accountability Bureau Special Prosecutor Waris Ali Janjua, however, opposed the stance of the defence counsel and said the trial proceedings could not progress in the absence of Mr Sharif. He said Mr Sharif had gone abroad without seeking permission from the trial court, which was a mockery of law.

The judge adjourned further hearing till May 28 and directed the defence counsel to come up with the exact date of Mr Sharif’s return.

Mr Sharif had left for London on April 10 to see his grandchildren and have his medical tests conducted. He was released on post-arrest bail on Feb 14, while Mr Hamza is still on pre-arrest bail. Later, the Lahore High Court also allowed Mr Sharif to travel abroad, directing the government to remove his name from the Exit Control List.

In London, Shahbaz Sharif chided Prime Minister Imran Khan for taking credit of the PML-N government’s achievements, particularly in power sector.

“No matter how deceptive the swing & how cunning the skipper, the facts cannot be twisted. People know it full well that PTI failed to build power plants in KP despite tall claims, whereas, PM NS added a total of 11000 MW to the system during his prev term. Hence no load-shedding,” Shahbaz Sharif tweeted.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2019