The accountability court of Islamabad accepted the bail of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the case of keeping cars from the Toshakhana.
Judge Muhammad Bashir of the accountability court granted the bail in exchange for bail bonds worth Rs1 million.
The PML-N supremo appeared in court along with his brother and party president Shehbaz Sharif. PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Maiza Hameed, Senator Afnanullah Khan Rana Tanveer and Malik Abrar are present in the courtroom. Only seven journalists have been granted permission to enter.
📜 Breaking News! 🏛️ Islamabad's accountability court grants former PM #NawazSharif bail in the Toshakhana case
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) October 24, 2023
Judge Muhammad Bashir grants bail with Rs1 million in bail bonds.#SamaaTV #IHC #PMLN pic.twitter.com/twyOuPYefX
The court marked Nawaz’s attendance, and the judge asked him to leave within minutes of his appearance. Upon his arrival and departure from the Judicial Complex, Nawaz’s vehicle was showered with rose petals, and PML-N workers raised slogans in his favour.
After Nawaz Sharif left, the NAB prosecutor told the court to reject his arrest warrants as he had surrendered in the case. The trial will proceed after the warrants have been dropped, he added. The court then admitted Nawaz Sharif’s bail in exchange for Rs1 million worth bail bonds.
“It is a lot of fun when so many people gather,” Judge Bashir remarked.
Also Read: Nawaz Sharif set to surrender before courts today
Defence lawyer Qazi Misbah responded that people don’t just gather for anyone till they have confidence in the person.
The court then adjourned the proceedings in the Toshakhana case till November 20. Copies of the investigation report will be distributed on the next hearing.
On Nawaz’s plea for restoration of his seized property, the court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau. It has sought arguments on the application from the bureau on Nov 20.
The accountability court had suspended Nawaz’s arrest warrants in the Toshakhana reference till today.
Earlier in the day, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer had filed three appeals with the court, including seeking restoration of his property seized in the Toshakhana reference. Another request was filed for appointing a pleader in the case, while a third application was filed for submitting bail bonds in court.
Qazi Misbahul Hasan filed the three applications on behalf of Nawaz Sharif.
PPP leader and former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani reached the court on Tuesday morning, as he was also nominated in the same Toshakhana case besides Nawaz and former president Asif Zardari.
