The Pakistan High Commission in London on Thursday received arrest warrants sent by the government for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The high commission did not make an official comment on the development but sources confirmed to Dawn that the mission had received the paperwork to serve the arrest warrants on Sharif. IHC
Islamabad High Court issues non-bail able arrest warrant for Nawaz Sharif, rejecting his plea for exemption. pic.twitter.com/PcVrUjXcqz
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) September 15, 2020
All legal formalities and procedures to followed
The assistant registrar of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the foreign secretary to ensure production of the former prime minister before the court on September 22. The secretary has been told to “cause the production of appellant (Nawaz Sharif) through High Commission of Pakistan in United Kingdom” by 11am on Sept 22. IHC Nawaz
Sharif would also have to appear on any other dates that might be fixed by the court, the letter added. A copy of the order issued earlier in the week was attached to the letter.
Read More: Maryam Nawaz Sharif will not attend APC: sources
IHC earlier this week issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Nawaz
The IHC earlier this week had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Sharif while dismissing his application seeking exemption from personal appearance in the hearing of appeals against his conviction in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield properties references.
Sharif was also sentenced to seven years in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in December 2018. But, he was bailed out in both cases and also allowed to go to London for medical treatment. Nawaz was given eight weeks to return but failed to come back due to health complications, according to his lawyer. IHC Nawaz
The three-time premier, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar were convicted in the Avenfield properties case on July 6, 2018. In 2017, the high commission received bailable arrest warrants for Hasan, Hussain, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Mohammad Safdar in NAB cases.