Shehbaz Sharif to return to Pakistan after Eid al Fitr, accountability court told

LAHORE -Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz President, Shahbaz Sharif will return to Pakistan after Eidul Fitr, an accountability court in Lahore was informed on Saturday.

The counsel for Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, told the court investigating Ramzan Sugar Mills and Ashiana Housing Scheme corruption cases that Sharif has an appointment with his doctor in Pakistan on June 7.

During today's hearing, Judge Jawadul Hasan sought evidence to justify Shahbaz's visit to London.

"Which document do I have which shows that [Shahbaz's] medical treatment is not possible in Pakistan?" he remarked.

Upon this, Shehbaz's lawyer replied that doctors in Pakistan had suggested the lawmaker to visit London for medical treatment.

"He is not asking for a permanent exemption, it's just a matter of two weeks," the lawyer contended and added that despite Shahbaz's absence, the trial of the case was underway.

On the other hand, National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) prosecutor Waris Ali Janjua complained that even though the rest of the suspects named in the references were present before the bench, the trial was not progressing due to Shahbaz's absence.

The NAB official further said that the former Punjab chief minister had not taken the court's approval before departing.

After hearing the arguments, the court directed Shahbaz's counsel to give the court a final date of his return by May 28, adjourning the hearing until the same date.

Shehbaz Sharif had gone to London to look after her ailing granddaughter and was scheduled to return in the second week of May. Earlier, the legislator had confirmed that he would be back in the country before the budget session which is scheduled to be in the second week of June.

However, the 'final date' of his return would be told to the court on the next hearing.