Maryam Nawaz's bail cannot be annulled instantly: Lahore High Court

According to detailed verdict, the bail order of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz could not be suspended immediately. However, Maryam Nawaz has file reply to NAB's request for cancellation of bail on April 7.

The court directed the federal home secretary to also submit a detailed reply to the NAB's request in the next hearing.

NAB Prosecutor Faisal Bukhari while giving his arguments in the Lahore High Court, maintained that Maryam Nawaz is out on bail on money laundering charges and making statements against state institutions.

The NAB requested the court that Maryam Nawaz did not provide records in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case despite the NAB’s notice, therefore her bail should be cancelled.

The NAB maintained in the petition that Maryam Nawaz has been continuously making statements against state institutions since her release on bail.

Earlier, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking cancellation of the post-arrest bail granted to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case.

The NAB, in its petition, argued that Ms Nawaz had been flouting and misusing the concession of bail by continuously attacking the state institutions through political speeches and social media. It stated that the respondent was involved in anti-state propaganda supporting the nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan.

The PML-N termed the petition “frivolous” and an effort to silence Ms Nawaz and deprive her of the constitutional right of the freedom of expression.

The court in its bail granting order had observed that the “bail cannot be withheld as a punishment.” In addition to surety bonds, the court had also directed Ms Nawaz to deposit Rs70 million and her passport with the deputy registrar (judicial) of the LHC to show her bona fide.

On Aug 8, 2019, the NAB arrested Ms Nawaz when she went to Kot Lakhpat jail to see her incarcerated father. The opposition party leader remained in NAB’s custody till Sept 25, 2019 before being remanded to jail by the trial court.