Al-Azizia reference: IHC exempts Nawaz from personal appearance

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) exempted former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from personal appearance in the Al-Azizia reference hearing.

A division bench, comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, took up the case on Tuesday. Nawaz’s defence counsel requested the court to exempt his client from personal appearance in the hearing.

The application stated that he was suffering from kidney and heart diseases and had to undergo many medical tests every day, that’s why he would not be able to appear before the court and may be granted an exemption.

The application further stated that Nawaz Sharif was under treatment at the Sharif Medical City Hospital. Nawaz’s health certificates were also attached with the application. He was granted bail on March 26 by the Supreme Court on medical grounds for six weeks against the surety bound of Rs5 million. The court later adjourned the hearing till April 23.