Sharifs granted exemption from appearing in court

Islamabad: A Pakistani court on Wednesday granted exemption from appearance to former premier Nawaz Sharif and his family members.

The accountability court in Islamabad said Nawaz Sharif has been exempted from appearance for seven days from November 20 to inquire about his wife Kulsoom Nawaz’s health, who is under treatment for lymphoma in London, while Maryam has been granted exemption for a month.

During the hearing, Justice Mohammad Bashir also declared Nawaz Sharif’s sons Hassan and Hussain absconders.

In the previous hearing, Justice Bashir said all the departments have been contacted to seek details of Hassan and Hussain’s property. “Summons of the accused have been also pasted on the walls of their house and court,” he added.

Earlier, the court had issued perpetual warrants for Hussain and Hassan Nawaz’s arrest and separated their trial from other members of the family. Orders have also been given to confiscate their shares in six companies.

In late July the Supreme Court sacked Mr Sharif following an investigation into corruption allegations against his family.