The Accountability Court of Islamabad has deferred its decision on whether to suspend the perpetual arrest warrants issued against Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, sons of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in three National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references.
Representing the brothers, their defense lawyer stated that Hasan and Hussain Nawaz are willing to return to Pakistan and appear before the court on March 12. Consequently, they have requested the suspension of the perpetual warrants to facilitate their court appearance.
During the hearing, lawyer Qazi Misbah appeared on behalf of the Nawaz brothers, while NAB prosecutors Sardar Muzaffar, Usman Masood, and Sohail Arif were present. Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over the proceedings.
Misbah stressed that Hasan and Hussain Nawaz are committed to cooperating with the legal process and attending the accountability court. He pointed out that other accused in the three references have been acquitted, demonstrating the brothers’ willingness to resolve the matter legally.
The NAB prosecutors did not oppose the request to suspend the perpetual warrants, acknowledging that the warrants are issued to ensure the appearance of the accused in court. They affirmed that if Hasan and Hussain Nawaz intend to return and participate in the proceedings, they should be allowed to do so.
However, NAB Prosecutor Sohail Arif reiterated that the law mandates the appearance of the accused in court and emphasized the importance of adhering to legal procedures. He clarified that the issuance of a warrant is a procedural measure aimed at ensuring the presence of the accused during court proceedings.
The Accountability Court has reserved its decision on Hasan and Hussain Nawaz’s petitions, indicating that a ruling on the suspension of the perpetual warrants will be announced later. The outcome will determine the subsequent steps in the legal proceedings regarding the NAB references involving the two brothers.
