LAHORE, Dec 1: An appellate bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday extended the bail of former provincial minister Akhtar Ali Vario.

The court adjourned the hearing until next week due to unavailability of petitioner’s counsel Senator Dr Khalid Ranjha who, the court was informed, was busy in Islamabad in connection with his official duties.

The court had earlier granted bail to the petitioner on medical grounds against bonds for Rs10 million and two personal sureties.

It was maintained in the application that Mr Vario had been awarded three years of imprisonment in absentia, which was set aside by the court and the case sent back to the trial court.

He submitted that he was suffering from diabetes and heart disease, and proper treatment was not possible in NAB custody.

NAWAZ AWAN: A special appellate bench of the LHC granted bail to Muhammad Nawaz Awan on medical grounds against two surety bonds worth Rs200,000. Mr Nawaz is involved in a cooperative scam.—APP