ISLAMABAD – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has contacted the Ministry of Interior for the issuance of red warrants to arrest former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s sons, Hassan and Hussain.
According to sources privy to the developments, both Hassan and Hussain hold dual nationalities and are currently based in the United Kingdom.
‘If the ministry feels satisfied with the documents provided, it can instruct the FIA to contact Interpol for assistance,’ disclosed the sources.
The scions of Nawaz Sharif have been absconding in the Avenfield reference for which the accountability court has issued perpetual arrest warrants, besides declaring them proclaimed offenders.
The accountability watchdog is now seeking the help of Interpol for their arrest, for which it has contacted the Ministry of Interior, Express Tribune reported.
Earlier last week, the NAB court in its verdict regarding the posh London flats of the former ruling family noted that the accused Hussain, Hassan and Maryam were not financially sound during the years 1993, 1995, and 1996, when the apartments were purchased through offshore companies, the beneficial owner of which was Maryam.
Judge Bashir had stated in his judgment that Hussain and Maryam Nawaz were directors of Hudaybia Paper Mills while Hassan was a shareholder, adding that there was no evidence that members of Qatar’s royal family had filed any objections against the order of attachment of Avenfield Apartments passed by England’s Queen’s Bench in a 1999 case.
The court had issued directions for separate trials of Hassan and Hussain after they failed to turn up before the court despite repeated orders; the duo, however, appeared before the six-member Joint Investigation Team formed in line with the Supreme Court’s direction in the Panama Papers case.
Additionally, NAB has also asked the interior ministry for the issuance of a red warrant for the arrest of former finance minister Ishaq Dar who is currently in London.
The Ministry of Interior has asked NAB for perpetual Warrants of Arrest (WOA) and certified copies of the proclamation of Ishaq Dar in this context and sources claim that the bureau will provide these documents soon.
