ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has fixed for hearing the petitions of former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif seeking exemption from appearance in Court.

Appeals against Nawaz Sharif’s sentence will be heard after the hearing of his appearance exemption petitions. IHC Judges Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani will hear the case.

Meanwhile, a NAB prosecution team has been formed on the appeals of Avenfield, Al Azizia and Flagship References; NAB prosecutors Jahanzeb Bharwana and Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi will appear in Court.

According to sources, NAB has decided to aggressively oppose Nawaz Sharif’s request for exemption, taking a stand that the former PM is a fugitive and cannot be granted exemption from appearance.

NAB officials are of the view that in case of his non-appearance, appeals against his sentences in both cases should be rejected. His sentence should be upheld in the Avenfield reference while his sentence should be increased in the Azizia Mills reference.—NNI