A division bench of the Islamabad High Court on Thursday granted protective bail to former prime minister Nawaz 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.

Also Read: Toshakhana case: Nawaz Sharif's arrest warrant suspended

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.

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

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.