LAHORE: An accountability court on Friday granted a one-time exemption from personal appearance to former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) case.
Accountability Court Judge Ameer Muhammad Khan conducted the proceedings, wherein Maryam Nawaz appeared and his cousin Yousaf Abbas was also produced on expiry of his judicial remand.
At the outset of the proceedings, the defence counsel, on behalf of Nawaz Sharif, submitted an application for a one-time exemption from personal appearance.
To which, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor opposed the application, saying that Nawaz Sharif should appear before the court as he was at home and not in the hospital.
He mentioned that his medical certificate was also not attached to the application.
However, the defence counsel submitted that Nawaz Sharif was being treated at home and it was the reason that he did not appear before the court. He further argued that the accused could be exempted from personal appearance till the filing of the reference. He submitted that the matter was still being investigated and no trial proceedings had started yet.
At this stage, Maryam Nawaz submitted that it was difficult for her to appear in the court while leaving behind his ailing father, but she complied with the court orders.
Subsequently, the court adjourned further proceedings till Nov 22, and sought arguments from the parties on the exemption issue while giving Nawaz Sharif one-time exemption from personal appearance.
It is pertinent to mention here that a Lahore High Court division bench had granted bail to Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in the case.
