Jago Times "English Edition" Best Online Newspaper
An Islamabad accountability court on Tuesday confirmed PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’s bail in the Toshakhana case.
Today is a busy day for Nawaz as he is also expected to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for protective bail in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references, in which he has been convicted. His appeal for the restoration of his appeals against his conviction is also expected to be heard today.
The accountability court had suspended the perpetual arrest warrants issued in 2020 for Nawaz in the Toshakhana case on October 19.
The case alleges that Nawaz, former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani received luxury vehicles and gifts from the Toshakhana — a department that stores gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states, and foreign dignitaries.
In June 2020, an accountability court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the former premier. Months later, Nawaz challenged the warrants in the Islamabad High Court but had withdrawn the petition days later.
On Sept 10, 2020, he was declared a proclaimed offender in the case, with an accountability court initiating the process to confiscate his properties and directing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to make his arrest through Interpol.
Islamabad police provided the PML-N supremo with special security as he made his way to court., joining his protocol at the Toll Plaza.
Footage aired on television of Nawaz’s arrival at the accountability court showed his car, which had been showered with rose petals, going through the gate with a large number of PML-N supporters gathered at the back.
PML-N leaders Shehbaz Sharif, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Ayaz Sadiq and Saad Rafique were also present for the hearing, which was presided over by Judge Muhammad Bashir.
At the outset of the hearing, the court directed to mark Nawaz’s attendance. The hearing, however, was marred by commotion after which the court directed Nawaz to leave the courtroom.
When the hearing resumed, the NAB prosecutor contended that Nawaz had surrendered, therefore, his arrest warrants should be cancelled. “If the warrants are cancelled then the trial can move forward,” he said.
The court subsequently confirmed Nawaz’s bail in the case against surety bonds of Rs1 million. Further hearing of the case was adjourned till November 20.
The court also issued notices to the NAB on Nawaz’s plea against the confiscation of his property and also sought arguments in this regard at the next hearing.