The Accountability Court of Islamabad has suspended the arrest warrants for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana case.

The warrant has been suspended till October 24.

On the other hand, the Islamabad High Court granted protective bail to Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references till October 24.

Announcing his reserved verdict, Accountability Court Judge Bashir remarked that if Nawaz Sharif did not appear in court on October 24, the warrants will be restored.

Earlier today, the accountability court had reserved its decision on PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's request for suspension of his arrest warrant in the Toshakhana reference.

Also Read: NAB issued notice on Nawaz Sharif's appeal for protective bail

The NAB prosecutor also did not oppose the plea and stated that if Nawaz wants to appear in court, the warrant should be suspended because the purpose of issuing a warrant is to ensure a person’s appearance in court.

Judge Muhammad Bashir of the Accountability Court was hearing Nawaz Sharif’s application.

Defence lawyer Qazi Misbah said Nawaz Sharif wants to appear in the accountability court and has sought suspension of his warrants, so he could easily appear before the court.

Nawaz Sharif says he wants to surrender before the court, the NAB prosecutor remarked.

“If Nawaz Sharif wants to come, his arrest warrant should be suspended till October 24,” the prosecutor's made a startling statement.

The trial against Nawaz Sharif in the accountability court is still in its initial stages, lawyer Qazi Misbah remarked. He added that Nawaz Sharif left the country four months before the reference was filed, he added.

“What is the status of other suspects in the case, including Asif Zardari?” the judge asked.

Asif Zardari and others are appearing in court through their respective representatives, lawyer Misbah responded.

Judge Bashir again asked if the other suspects in the case have been arrested. The lawyer responded in the negative. He said no arrest has been made in the Toshakhana case as yet.

Qazi Misbah said he will present detailed arguments on October 24. He further said Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan on October 21, and sought permission to be allowed to appear in court.

The NAB prosecutor also argued that Nawaz Sharif wants to come to court, as the purpose of the warrant was to make someone face the law.

“If Nawaz Sharif wants to appear in court, then his warrant should be definitely suspended,” the NAB prosecutor told the court.

Written order

The accountability court has issued a written decision on the suspension of Nawaz Sharif's arrest warrant.

According to the defence lawyer, Nawaz Sharif went abroad for treatment and the reference was filed when he was abroad, according to the written decision. He added that no suspect has been arrested in the reference.

The decision also stated that Nawaz Sharif's warrant was issued in absentia, and now he wants to reach Pakistan and appear before the court.

The lawyer also said the former prime minister has not fully recovered yet, the decision mentioned.

He requested to suspend Nawaz’s arrest warrant till October 24 for a fair trial, the decision stated, adding the NAB prosecutor also said Nawaz Sharif wanted to surrender before the court.

According to the NAB prosecutor, the decision said, Nawaz Sharif's warrant should be suspended till October 24 to enable him to appear in court.

If Nawaz Sharif does not appear in court, the NAB should execute the arrest warrant, the court decision stated.

Protective bail in Avenfield, Al-Azizia references

A division bench of the Islamabad High Court granted protective bail to former prime minister Sharif in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references till October 24. The bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb announced the decision they had reserved a day earlier.

The court granted protective bail to Nawaz till October 24 and stopped the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting him till then.

PML-N leader Azam Nazeer Tarar, part of the Nawaz's legal team, appeared in court and said that the former premier was a proclaimed offender in the trial court also that has suspended his arrest warrant.

NAB Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood appeared in court, while Nawaz's team comprised Azam Tarar, Ataullah Tarar and Amjad Pervaiz.

On Wednesday, a division bench of the Islamabad High Court had issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on separate applications filed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for a protective bail in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references.

The division bench comprises IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb.

Earlier, his lawyers had requested for hearing the applications today.

The Registrar's Office did not raise any objection to either of the applications.

In the application, Nawaz Sharif has requested for a protective bail for surrendering before the law. He has said that he intends to face the cases against him, so the authorities should be barred from arresting him to enable him to reach the court.

The application states that Nawaz Sharif will land in Islamabad on a special flight on October 21, asking for a protective bail to reach the court.

PML-N President and Nawaz's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif has hailed the IHC decision to grant bail to the elder Sharif, saying the three-time PM was disqualified on a "fictitious and fabricated story".

"He was implicated in absurd cases and subjected to mistreatment. Any fair hearing would have established his innocence. Bail is a fundamental right (sic)," he posted on his X account.

The elected Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, was disqualified based on a fictitious and fabricated story. He was implicated in absurd cases and subjected to mistreatment. Any fair hearing would have established his innocence. Bail is a fundamental right, and we welcome the IHC…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 19, 2023

Security arrangements

The PML-N has completed all the security arrangements for the party’s public gathering at Greater Iqbal Park on October 21. Reportedly, more than 10,000 officials and officers will be deputed for the security of the rally participants, including 10 SPs, 35 DSPs and all the SHOs will be deputed for security purposes.

Police officials said around 400 temporary CCTV cameras would be installed that will be monitored live through Safe City cameras.