ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court of Lahore court on Wednesday granted bail to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law Capt (R) Mohammad Safdar in a case pertaining to inflammatory speeches against the government and the country’s institutions.

Additional Sessions Judge Tajamal Shehzad announced the verdict after hearing arguments of Catp Safdar’s counsel Farhad Ali Shah. He has been granted bail against surety bonds worth Rs200,000 (Dh4,733).

Capt Safdar’s lawyer had taken the plea that his client was being politically victimised.

In his speech, he was in fact, talking about an anti-government drive that was his democratic right, said the counsel for Capt Safdar.

“If cases are filed on the basis of statements, all our rulers are to be penalised,” he said.

Punjab police had arrested Capt Safdar last week from the Motorway while he was on way to Lahore

He is facing charges of speaking against the government and the state institutions. According to the prosecution, the suspect was arrested on a directive issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore.

According to the FIR, Safdar during a court appearance for bail in another case “sat in the bar room and made remarks against the government”.

Meanwhile, Lahore High Court (LHC) adjourned the bail plea hearing of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Vice-President and daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case till Thursday (today).

A division bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the arguments on a bail plea of Maryam Nawaz. During the hearing, Maryam’s advocate Amjad Pervez completed his arguments.

The court has now summoned the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor on Thursday for final arguments.

In Tuesday’s proceeding, hearing was adjourned following the unavailability of NAB’s additional prosecutor general.

The NAB’s special prosecutor told the court that NAB Director General Shehzad Saleem along with Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzeb Bharwana had to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) where the matter of Nawaz Sharif was being taken up. He requested the court to adjourn the proceedings until Wednesday.

On Wednesday, however, the case was once again adjourned till Thursday for the NAB prosecutor to conclude his arguments.

Maryam Nawaz is seeking release on bail as her father is unwell and undergoing medical treatment at Lahore’s Services Hospital.

The PML-N leader has submitted that she has to take care of her father and her presence with him was necessary.