The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted four-week protective bail to former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the reference pertaining to the appoint of Sheikh Imran-ul-Haq as the Pakistan State Oil MD (Managing Director).

The decision on the bail application came as IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani heard the matter.

During the hearing, the defence counsel, Barrister Zafarullah, argued that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed a new reference in Karachi but they didn’t receive any summons and moved the court only after media reports.

As the chief justice remarked that no flights were currently available for Karachi, the counsel said they wanted to appear before court and opted for protective bail for the very reason.

Later talking to newsmen outside the court, Abbasi said Allah may have mercy on all of us as the government had completely failed in tackling the coronavirus pandemic, adding that the prime minister was saying one thing and the ministers others.

Talking to media after the court proceedings, the PML-N leader said the prime minister used to say that there would be no lockdown, but what Islamabad was having right now. “What is it if not a lockdown,” he questioned.

He said the prime minister’s attitude could be gauged by the fact that he left his seat after inviting the opposition leaders to discuss an important issue like coronavirus.

About the latest reference, Abbasi said they did not receive any notice from Karachi. “Notices are sent to two accused, warrants are issued for the other two,” he remarked.