Al-Azizia Steel Mills case: Pakistan HC accepts Nawaz Sharif's petition

Islamabad: Pakistan's Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday accepted an application filed by former premier Nawaz Sharif to withdraw the earlier bail petition in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference case - thereby, allowing him to seek suspension of his seven-year sentence on medical grounds.

The high court bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani heard arguments of Mr Sharif's counsel Khawaja Haris.

Mr Haris pleaded with the court for withdrawal of the earlier petition and told the court that they would seek Sharif's suspension of sentence on medical grounds instead.

He told the court that Mr Sharif's bail petition was filed on January 5, however another bail petition was filed on January 15 after his health condition deteriorated. The court assessed medical reports of the former premier and examined the comments of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the matter.

The NAB has submitted a response in the IHC regarding Mr Sharif's bail plea in Al-Azizia reference case. The NAB, in its written response, has maintained that the former premier had been provided 'best' medical treatment.

The anti-graft body said that Mr Sharif was not entitled to acquire bail on medical grounds, and therefore, his bail plea should be rejected.