RAWALPINDI, Aug 13: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench on Monday while giving a final opportunity to the counsel for the two accused in ephedrine case, Federal Textile Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Ali Musa Gillani, the son of former prime minister, extended their interim bail for another couple of weeks.

According to the National Judicial Policy, the interim bail of an accused should not be extended more than seven days but it was the fourth extension of the interim bail of the accused since June 26 when Makhdoom Shahab filed the pre-arrest bail plea in the Lahore High Court.

The court warned that in case the counsel for the accused would not appear in the next date of hearing on August 27, the court would decide the pre-arrest bail in accordance with the law.

The court observed that the defence lawyers were repeatedly seeking adjournment in the case and the matter could neither be deferred for an indefinite period nor the interim bail extended at every date of hearing.

Abdul Rasheed Sheikh, counsel for Makhdoom Shahab told the court that in case the defence lawyers would not argue the case, the court would pass an order even without hearing them.

He said traditionally the court decide the pre-arrest bail pleas after the Eid holidays because the practice provide an opportunity to the accused persons to celebrate Eid with their family and friends.

He requested the court to adjourn the matter because advocate Shah Khawar another defence lawyer of Makhdoom Shahab was busy in the Supreme Court.

Shahid Mehmood Abbasi, prosecutor general Anti-narcotics Force (ANF), told the court that the Supreme Court in an identical matter has directed to decide the bail plea within seven days.

He pointed out that at least two lawyers of Makhdoom Shahab were present in the court room and requested the court to ask them to argue the case.

The court directed the defence counsel to give their arguments in the petitions for bail on the next hearing and justify filing bail application in the high court directly.