LAHORE: An accountability court on Tuesday granted permanent exemption from personal appearance to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a reference, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The court, however, directed the prime minister to appoint a representative to appear in the court on his behalf.

Accountability Court Judge Qamar-uz-Zaman conducted the proceedings of the reference and passed the orders while allowing an application, filed by the prime minister for permanent exemption from appearance.

The court also sought a reply from NAB on an application, filed by Hamza Shehbaz for permanent exemption from personal appearance in the matter, besides exempting him from personal appearance for one-day.

A legal team had filed the application for exemption of Hamza Shehbaz from appearance for one day, during the proceedings.