ISLAMABAD, April 23: The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment on the petition of Haji Nasimur Rehman, former MNA from Mardan, who was convicted by an accountability for not appearing before the court in a corruption case.

The Supreme Court on Monday granted him protective bail after he surrendered before the court, and issued notice to the Prosecutor-General of Accountability to explain if an absconder could be allowed the facility of bail.

The Prosecutor-General of Accountability, Mr Naveed Rasool Mirza, stated that no person could be allowed bail before he surrendered before the court where his case was pending.

Advocate Munir Paracha, counsel for Haji Nasimur Rehman, stated that appeal of his client, against his conviction under Section 31(A) of the NAB Ordinance should be registered. He said that his client had already surrendered before the Supreme Court and now the high court should register his appeal.

He said when he filed appeal in the Peshawar High Court against the NAB court order of convicting him in absentia, his appeal was not registered. He asked the court to direct the Peshawar High Court to register the appeal and allow him hearing.

It is second case in current month in which absconders have been given protective bail by the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The decision of the case would have political dimensions, as PPP leader Ms Benazir Bhutto is also convicted by an accountability court for her failure to appear in the court where cases pertaining to her alleged corruption are pending.

The court after hearing the views of PGA and counsel of the petitioner, said that it would pass an order later.