ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s appeal against his conviction in Al-Azizia reference on Sept 1.

A division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani will hear the appeal.

The IHC registrar office has also scheduled the hearing of an appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau against the acquittal of Mr Sharif in the Flagship Investment reference on the same date.

Accountability Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik on Dec 24, 2018 convicted Mr Sharif in Al-Azizia reference but acquitted him in the Flagship Investment reference.

In July 2019, PML-N leaders, during a press conference, claimed that Judge Arshad Malik had convicted Nawaz Sharif under duress and shared a secretly recorded “confessional” video of him with mediapersons.

NAB plea in Flagship investment case to be taken up the same day

Judge Malik was sacked over his misconduct by his parent organisation — the Lahore High Court.

Earlier, the bench granted two-month bail to Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds.

According to IHC’s order, Mr Sharif may apply for extension in his bail to the Punjab government, which will remain intact until the provincial authorities decide on it.

However, the Punjab government dismissed the application seeking extension in his bail.

Recently, Barrister Jahangir Khan Jadoon filed a petition seeking permission for conducting trial of Mr Sharif in Toshakhana reference — related to securing a gifted vehicle at throwaway price — through a pleader.

But, Barrister Jadoon later withdrew the petition after the court questioned the status of Sharif’s bail in Al-Azizia reference.

The PTI leaders also hinted at initiating the process for Mr Sharif’s extradition.

The former prime minister flew to London in November last year after the PTI government removed his name from the Exit Control List.

Mr Sharif was handed seven years in jail in Al-Azizia reference with two fines — Rs1.5 billion and $25 million.

A disqualification of 10 years from holding any public office was also part of the sentence.

The former premier, however, was acquitted in the Flagship Investment reference.

Judge Arshad Malik, while reading out the short order, said there was no case against Mr Sharif in the Flagship reference.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2020