The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was told on Wednesday that deposed prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif wanted to surrender before the court in the Al Azizia Reference.
The court subsequently issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), seeking a reply on whether it had any objection to granting protective and transitory bail to Nawaz.
The IHC on Wednesday heard a request filed by the PML-N seeking protective bail for Nawaz Sharif. The application was filed by former minister of state Ataullah Tarar. A two-member division bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the application.
The application stated that Nawaz will land in Islamabad on October 21 and that he requires protective bail to make his appearance in court.
Nawaz's lawyer, Amjad Parvez, said that the deposed prime minister wanted to surrender before the court. He argued that if someone wants to surrender before the court, the court provides them with the opportunity. To support his case, he pointed to past incidents where wanted individuals were given protective bail on the condition of surrendering to the court.
NAB Prosecutor Afzal Qureshi said that they have no objection if someone who is absconding wants to return and surrender.
At this, Justice Aurangzeb asked angrily that today, NAB says they have no objection, but tomorrow they will come back and ask to declare the order illegal. He suggested that the NAB prosecutor consult the bureau's chief first, and they can decide the case today.
At this, the NAB prosecutor said that the NAB chief is currently out of the country; however, if a formal appeal was set, they would seek a plan of action from him.
The court subsequently issued notices to NAB to submit their arguments on the matter.
it is pertinent to note that Nawaz Sharif is due to appear at a major party rally in Lahore on October 21.