Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's appeal against his conviction in Al-Azizia Steel Mills Graft case will be heard on September 18, by Islamab High Court (IHC). Sharif who is currently serving a seven-year prison term at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore since December 24, 2018 was handed sentence by an accountability court last year. He was also fined with Rs 1.5 billion in same case. case pertains to owning assets beyond means, as former Pakistan PM was unable to justify sourcing of funds behind setting up of Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment (HME) in Saudi Arabia. 

IHC Set To Hear Appeal Today

IHC comprising of Justice Amer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani will be conducting hearing on Wednesday. National Accountability Court Bureau, prosecuting ncy in case has also appealed to increase prison sentence of Sharif. appeal will also be taken up today by same bench. 

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Sharif Sacked Off As Pak PM

On July 28, 2017, following a judgement by Supreme Court of Pakistan, Sharif was sacked as PM of Pakistan after apex court h ordered to launch three cases of corruption against him and his family. Earlier in 2018, Sharif and his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Mohamm Safdar were handed a sentence after being convicted in Avenfiled case. case was related to ownership of Sharif family's apartments at Avenfield House, London. However, sentence was later suspended by IHC. 

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Sharif's Appeal

Sharif's family and lawyer appealed to court that he should be set free as judgment of corruption case was ultered and judge who h delivered sentence was also sacked. Justice Arsh Malik, who delivered verdict in Al-Azizia Steel Mills case was removed from case after Sharif's daughter Maryam h released a video in which he was allegedly seen confessing in a chat with Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML - N) leer that he was under immense pressure from certain elements to convict three-time former Pakistan PM.

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(With PTI inputs)