Khudayar Mohla –
Supreme Court administration has taken security measures to avoid any untoward incident during adjudication of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s bail application as a three-member bench of the Chief Justice Sardar Asif Saeed Khan Khosa set to hear the matter on March 26.
Earlier on February 25, Islamabad High Court has rejected application of Nawaz Sharif, seeking bail on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia corruption case observing that medical condition of the applicant has nothing to do with an extraordinary situation of extreme hardship.
Invoking jurisdiction of the top court the incarcerated former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s counsel termed the IHC order a violation of his client’s fundamental right to life as guaranteed by Article 9 of the Constitution saying the the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978 were neither relevant nor invoked by him for the suspension of his sentence on medical grounds.
While taking up the appeal of Nawaz Sharif on March 19, a three-member bench of the Chief Justice Khosa said the court would have examined medical reports to ascertain that how long the former premier had been suffering from the ailments. Besides, Chief Justice Khosa also pointed out that despite the ailments, Sharif had been participating in elections, rallies and conventions during the 2018 campaign, in addition to his numerous court appearances. Top court has issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau in the matter for March 26.
Spokesperson of the top court on Monday issued a statement that security measures have been taken ahead of the hearing of bail petition filed by former premier Nawaz Sharif.
He stated that due to the limited capacity of Court Room No 1, where the hearing will be held, the Superintendent of Police (Security) of the Supreme Court will issue security passes in order to regulate the entry of the people.
He further said that petitioners and respondents whose cases have been fixed in the top court will be allowed to enter the premises of the Supreme Court building. Journalists and advocates who come to the court regularly will be exempted from passes.
The general public who wish to observe proceedings will be required to contact the SP (Security) for security passes saying bags and purses of visitors will be searched before entry and mobile phones will be prohibited in Court Room No 1.
It is pertinent to mention that Nawaz Sharif is facing a term of seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia reference whereas the government claims that he is not ready to get medical treatment in any hospital in the country as he is intended to go to London for treatment. On the other hand, the PML-N has alleged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government of indulging in politics over Sharif’s health.
