PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has arrived at an accountability court in Islamabad for a hearing of the Toshakhana case. Today is a busy day for Nawaz as he is also expected to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for protective bail in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references, in which he has been convicted. His plea for restoring his appeals against his conviction are also expected to be heard. The accountability court had suspended the perpetual arrest warrants issued in 2020 for Nawaz in the Toshakhana case on October 19. The case alleged Nawaz, former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani received luxury vehicles and gifts from the Toshakhana a department that stores gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states, and foreign dignitaries.

In June 2020, an accountability court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the former premier. Months later, Nawaz challenged the warrants in the Islamabad High Court but had withdrawn the petition days later. On Sept 10, 2020, he was declared a proclaimed offender in the case, with an accountability court initiating the process to confiscate his properties and directing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to make his arrest through Interpol.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)