ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s lawyers to present their arguments on 27 November on the Avenfield reference.
The court’s orders came during the hearing of appeals filed by Nawaz Sharif against his conviction in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption references today.
A two-member division bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the appeals.
At the outset of the hearing, Azam Naseer Tarar, who is one of the lawyers of Nawaz Sharif, told the court that they had developed a sequence for the hearing. He said that they plan to give arguments for the appeal filed against the Avenfield reference.
On this, IHC top judge Farooq asked the counsel how much time they would require and the hours he would take to give his arguments.
On this point, Amjad Pervez, who is also part of Nawaz Sharif’s legal team, told the court that a ruling on the Avenfield reference had been made on merit.
Tarar added that the verdict pertaining to the acquittal of the co-accused is final, as it was not challenged in the apex court.
The IHC Chief Justice remarked that all that happened in the Al-Azizia appeal was the suspension of the sentence. He said arguments on merit were never heard in the case.
Further, the judge asked Pervez about how many hours, and not days, would be required for his arguments. The lawyer responded, saying he needed 4 to 6 hours.
Focus on Avenfield Case Against Nawaz Sharif
Justice Farooq said that in the Al-Azizia reference, the appeal was not heard by both the members of the bench. He told the lawyer to forget about the Al-Azizia case for now and only give arguments in the Avenfield case.
The judge also said that the court had questioned NAB during several hearings.
The PML-N legal counsel said NAB failed to provide any evidence. At that time, the watchdog had also changed lawyers, he maintained.
The court adjourned the hearing till next Monday — 27 November 2023, and asked Nawaz Sharif’s lawyers to give their arguments when the court meets again.
