ISLAMABAD: The accountability court on Thursday issued the bailable arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in two graft references and directed police to produce him till November 3.

The arrest warrant for Sharif was issued in two references pertaining to Aziza Steel Mills and Flagship Investment Ltd.

At the outset of proceedings, Sharif submitted a plea through his lead counsel Khawaja Harris, seeking seven day exemption from personal appearance in the anti-graft court.

A medical report of Sharif’s wife was also submitted to the court.

The NAB prosecutor opposed the plea and contended that Sharif was deliberately evading the accountability proceedings.

The accountability court then rejected the plea and issued bailable arrest warrant for ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while directing police to produce the former premier till the next hearing into corruption references on Nov 3.

Two witnesses were expected to record their statements today. One of the witnesses is from Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and another from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). However, the witnesses could not testify against Sharif family member in absence of the former premier.

Earlier today, Maryam Nawaz and her spouse Capt (r) Safdar reached the court premises separately.

The ousted premier’s daughter arrived at the accountability court in an extensive protocol amid stringent security measures, accompanying Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers and supporters.

The former premier is currently out of country, had skipped the court proceedings. Zafir Khan – his representative – pleaded not guilty after court indicted him in three corruption references.

As many as 400 Frontier Corps (FC) and police personnel have been deployed in and around the judicial complex for accountability proceedings today.