ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday exempted PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz and her spouse retired Captain Mohammad Safdar from personal attendance during the hearing of appeals they filed against their conviction in the Avenfield apartments reference.

A division bench, comprising acting chief justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, resumed hearing on the appeals.

Lead defence counsel were not in attendance, however, an associate lawyer submitted the applications of Ms Nawaz and Mr Safdar seeking exemption from personal attendance.

The counsel stated that the applicants had tested positive for Covid-19 and hence might be exempted from personal attendance.

The court allowed the applications and exempted them from appearance on July 21.

Further hearing in the matter was adjourned till September 15.

Meanwhile, the acting chief justice extended the restraining order issued against the proceedings of Election Commission of Pakistan initiated against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) ChairmanImran Khan and party leader Asad Umar. The ECP started proceedings against them for violation of the code of conduct set for the local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The counsel for Mr Khan, Barrister Ali Zafar, could not appear before the court because of his other engagements in Lahore. However, a junior lawyer requested the court for an adjournment. Subsequently, the matter was adjourned till August 22.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2022