Islamabad HC rejects plea in opposition to issuing diplomatic passport to ex- Pak PM Nawaz Sharif

The Islamabad High Court has dismissed a petition in search of to forestall the anticipated issuance of a diplomatic passport to former premier and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, reported native media.

On April 15, advocate Naeem Haider Panjutha filed a petition within the IHC, citing media stories that mentioned Nawaz was being issued a diplomatic passport on the orders of newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who can be his sibling.

The petitioner claimed that the inside and overseas affairs secretaries got orders for issuance of the diplomatic passport.

The petitioner contended that as Nawaz “is a court absconder who was convicted by a learned NAB (National Accountability Bureau) Court for corruption … it is a violation of the law, a mockery of the justice system, and a disgrace to the nation if a diplomatic passport is issued to a convict”.

THE COURT’S ORDER

The court docket famous in its order immediately that the petitioner was unable to supply any order, course, or notification issued by the federal authorities to substantiate his declare.

“It is noted that no evidentiary value was attached to the press reports and no reliance can be placed on it when a person claims a legal right on its basis. It was settled law that courts will not decide cases on the basis of press reports,” Samaa TV quoted Chief Justice Athar Minallah as saying.

The court dismissed the petition and fined the petitioner Rs 5,000 for using state-funded counsel during the hearing.

THE CASE

This development follows the election of Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister, with media reports stating that the Ministry of Interior has been directed to renew Nawaz Sharif’s and his brother-in-law Ishaq Dar’s passports.

Further, PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan “earlier than the subsequent elections.”

Nawaz Sharif, who is convicted in a corruption case, has been living in London under the “pretext of sick well being” since November 2019, when the Lahore High Court granted him permission to leave the country for four weeks for medical treatment.

Shehbaz Sharif had given an undertaking at the time that the senior Sharif would return within the stipulated time. Later, Nawaz Sharif sought extensions to prolong his stay in London on medical grounds.

Nawaz Sharif filed an appeal with the British Immigration Tribunal in August of last year after the Home Department refused to extend his stay in the country any further on “medical grounds.”

Nawaz Sharif can legally remain in the UK till the tribunal issues its decision on his plea for his stay in the country. His passport had expired in February 2021.

(With agency input)

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