The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has adjourned till next Monday the hearing on Nawaz Sharif's appeals against his sentence in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references of the NAB.
The PML-N lawyers requested hearing the appeals on a daily basis.
IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq remarked that, if necessary, he will hold daily hearings. He further questioned that if the appeal in Al-Azizia reference was heard by a second bench, should another bench be formed now?
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had filed appeals against his conviction in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references. The proceedings were conducted by IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb.
Nawaz’s lawyer Azam Nazir Tarar said they will first argue on the appeal against the sentence in the Avenfield reference.
The CJ said they will manage cases, so other people's cases are not affected.
قائد مسلم لیگ ن نواز شریف اور شہباز شریف اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ پہنچ گئے۔ pic.twitter.com/Injv8bl1tR
— PMLN (@pmln_org) November 21, 2023
Lawyer Amjad Parvez said the appeals of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz and Capt (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield reference to have been decided. The decision by the high court was not challenged, he added.
The decision in the Avenfield reference is final, Tarar told the court.
The NAB representative said they will only put forward the legal points.
“We can fix the hearing for next Monday,” the CJ remarked, adding that if need be, the court will conduct daily hearings.
Tarar requested to hear the appeals on a daily basis, adding that it’s all about the records and they will not waste even a minute of the court.
The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing of the case till next Monday.
“Will you represent Nawaz Sharif?” Justice Aurangzeb asked.
Quaid Nawaz Sharif reaches the Islamabad High Court. pic.twitter.com/koYBf5UuS9
— PMLN (@pmln_org) November 21, 2023
Tarar said Amjad Parvez had been filing cases since the first day, and he would assist the court.
The bench that decided the initial appeals in the Avenfield case was a separate one. “So, should a second bench be formed for this case?” CJ Farooq said.
These appeals were not partially heard; they have to be heard afresh, Tarar remarked.