LAHORE: An accountability court on Friday summoned fresh medical reports of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who is in London for treatment with the permission of the Lahore High Court.

The court was hearing Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) case when Sharif’s counsel Amjad Pervez filed a fresh application for extension in exemption already granted to his client from personal appearance.

The counsel said the doctors in London had not permitted Mr Sharif for air travel.

NAB Prosecutor Hafiz Asadullah opposed the application and said the latest medical reports of the accused were not before the court.

Presiding Judge Ameer Muhammad Khan adjourned hearing till Feb 14 and directed the counsel to present fresh reports and also convince the court that his client was not able to travel.

Mr Sharif’s nephew Yousaf Abbas, a co-suspect, was brought to the court from jail to attend the proceedings while PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who was on bail, had already been exempted from personal appearance till the filing of a reference by the NAB.

Separately, the judge also adjourned hearing of money laundering/illegal assets and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases against Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz.

Hamza was brought to the court from jail amid tight security.

The prosecutor told the court that the reference against the accused in the assets case was in final stage and would be filed soon.

The judge adjourned hearing till Feb 14.

In sugar mills and Ashiana Housing Scheme cases, the court had already allowed permanent exemption from personal appearance to PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif till further orders.

However, a pleader on his behalf appears in the court on each hearing.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2020