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Court cancels Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz’s arrest warrants, approves bail

ISLAMABAD, March 14 (SABAH): An accountability court in Islamabad on Thursday approved bail of former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s sons, Hasan Nawaz Sharif and Hussain Nawaz Sharif, in exchange for Rs50,000 bond each in the three references pertaining to Al-Azizia Steel Mill, Avenfield apartments and Flagship.

The court also cancelled the brother’s perpetual arrest warrants and fugitive status in the said cases.

Hasan and Hussain had to appear before the accountability court on Thursday to get their perpetual arrest warrants suspended, as they were given relief by the court till March 14.

On request of the defendants’ counsel, Qazi Misbah, the court adjourned further hearing of the case till tomorrow (Friday).

Upon petitions filed by Nawaz Sharif’s sons for acquittal, the accountability court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Whereas, Qazi Misbah filed a petition for appointment of his clients’ pleader saying the petition regarding the pleader was being lodged for security reasons. Upon which, Rana Irfan was appointed as their pleader.

Presenting arguments, Qazi Misbah said, he had pleaded to suspend his clients’ perpetual arrest warrants on previous hearing. Since the suspects had surrendered themselves as per the court’s condition, their warrants should be cancelled, he said.

Accountability court judge Nasir Javed inquired if Hasan and Hussain were nominated in the three references. The counsel replied in affirmative saying they were nominated in the cases as co-accused. He added the trail court had vindicated them in the Flagship reference. While, he said, all the accused were acquitted by the high court in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references with the exception of his clients, who weren’t able to appear before the court.

The judge asked if the suspects would leave the country soon. The lawyer said for the time being they were in the country. Following that, the court adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (Friday).