RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi has been sentenced to life in ephedrine quota case by a special court.
Abbasi was taken into custody from the courtroom after the judge announced the verdict.
As Abbasi's counsel concluded his arguments during the hearing today, the court reserved its judgment.
"We will announce the judgment in three to four hours," the judge said.
Meanwhile, security has been put on high-alert on the back entrance to the anti-narcotics court. An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is also present on the spot.
Personnel of the Anti-Narcotics Force and police have closed the way leading out of the court.
A day earlier, Judge Mohammad Akram Khan had rejected Abbasi's plea to delay the trial's deadline, noting that it has to follow orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The judge also remarked that he will continue hearing arguments into the night if it takes that long.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had dismissed Abbasi’s petition against the LHC order directing to conclude the ephedrine case against him by July 21.