The Islamabad High Court (IHC) division bench said on Tuesday that it was giving former three-time premier Nawaz Sharif one more chance "to surrender" and appear before the court at the next hearing. The next hearing is scheduled for September 10.

The IHC division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani was hearing the appeals of Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Safdar against their conviction in the Avenfieldd reference.

The bench passed the order on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's appeal seeking exemption from appearance before the court in the Avenfieldd case on medical grounds. His counsel Khawaja Haris Ahmed said that the former premier could not return to the country due to the coronavirus pandemic and adding that the PML-N supremo was seeking medical treatment abroad.

Khawaja Haris also mentioned that the bail of Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield case was suspended adding that, "His current status is that he is not out on bail. This is the legal position."

Sharif's counsel also added that his fresh medical reports were forwarded to the Punjab government, however, authorities refused to extend former prime ministers bail.

When the court inquired if Sharif is currently undergoing medical treatment at a hospital, Haris responded, "No he is not under treatment at a hospital. He will return to the country once his treatment is complete."

During the proceedings, Nawaz's legal team presented his medical reports but all reports were old. His lawyer noted that Nawaz's fresh medical reports had been received which would be provided once they had been verified by the Foreign Office. The bench noted that, given the circumstances, the appeal can only move forward when Nawaz appears before the court.

"We are giving you one chance to surrender before the law,” Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani observed and added, "We have not declared you proclaimed offender and have given you a chance to surrender before the law."

The next hearing has been scheduled for September 10.