NAB decides to approach Interpol to issue 'red warrant' for Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD - The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to approach the Interpol to issue a red warrant to arrest former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a private news channels reported on Thursday.

NAB chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal during a meeting on Thursday said that Ishaq Dar was not unwell or suffering from any ailment which cannot be treated in Pakistan. Therefore, he should be arrested and brought back to the country.

“Ishaq Dar is not suffering from any disease that cannot be treated in Pakistan,” the NAB chairman was quoted as saying in a declaration issued by the bureau.

Dar has been declared as a proclaimed offender and absconder by an accountability case in a reference case for possessing assets beyond the known means of income.

The accountability watchdog will now ask the interior ministry to contact the Interpol secretariat for the issuance of “red warrants” against Dar. However, the former finance minister has the option to seek political refuge in the United Kingdom.

Judge Muhammad Bashir on Monday announced the verdict declaring Dar a proclaimed offender for his continuous absence from court proceedings. The court also directed his bail guarantor to submit surety bail worth Rs5 million.

Earlier on Thursday, two witnesses testified against Dar while details of his bank accounts and income records were also submitted to the accountability court before it was adjourned till December 18.

Ishaq Dar, who is currently in London, has repeatedly skipped court hearings despite issuance of non-bailable warrants for his arrest.

According to the NAB reference, the accused had acquired assets and pecuniary interests/resources in his name or his dependents of an approximate amount of Rs831 million and are disproportionate to his known sources of income.