Islamabad court declares Nawaz Sharif a 'fugitive'

ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday declared former prime minister Nawaz Sharif a “proclaimed offender” for not surrendering before the court of law. 

A two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued the ruling while hearing petitions by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif against his sentences in the Al Azizia and Avenfield cases.

The court also recorded the statements of Foreign Ministry Director Europe Mubashir Khan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official Ejaz Ahmed during the hearing. 

The foreign ministry official informed the bench that he had received the court's advertisements regarding Nawaz Sharif and sent it to the Pakistani High Commission in London.

FIA’s Ejaz in his statement said he delivered the advertisements at Nawaz Sharif’s residences in Jati Umrah and Model Town in Lahore. He informed the court that pictures of the FIA’s visits have been provided to the court. 

As court recorded the statements, Justice Farooq turned towards NAB’s counsel Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzaib Bharwana and sought his advice for next action. 

“What should we do now?” the judge asked. 

The NAB pleaded the court to throw out the appeals filed by the former prime minister against his punishment on “merit”.

He added that Nawaz Sharif, who is in London for his treatment for over 12 months, can be sentenced for not surrendering to the court.

To this, Justice Farooq asked the NAB counsel to present judicial precedents during the next hearing on how the appeals of the former premier should be handled. 

He said that the court is scheduled to hear cases of Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar in coming days, adding: “Should the court fixed Nawaz’s appals along with these cases?”

However, Bharwana opposed it. 

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani in his remarks said that the court will also look at the conduct of former accountability judge Arshad Malik, who was sacked after his controversial videos surfaced.

Following the arguments, the court declared Nawaz a proclaimed offender. A written order will be issued shortly.

Pakistan writes to UK for Nawaz’s deportation 

Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Barrister Mirza Shahzad Akbar Wednesday said that a letter has been sent to United Kingdom (UK) authorities, asking them to deport the convicted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad flanked by Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Political Communication Shahbaz Gill, he said Pakistan has asked the US to annul the former premier’s visa, which was issued for medical treatment. The six month visa has not yet extended by UK.