IHC stays proceedings against Dar till Jan 17

islamabad — The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday stayed proceeding of accountability court against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar till January 17.

A division bench of the court comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb heard a petition filed by Ishaq Dar challenging accountability court’s decision declaring him proclaimed offender in a reference regarding assets beyond known sources of income.

During the hearing, Dar’s counsel, Qazi Misbah, contended that his client was suffering from cardiac problem and was currently in London for treatment purpose.

He said the accountability court continued its proceedings against Dar despite submission of a medical certificate to the court. Misbah argued that the accountability court was conducting trial of his client in his absence and recording statements of prosecution witnesses.

He said his client was not avoiding the court trial against him but he wanted trial through his representative due to his ailment.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor Imran Shafique did not agree with the Dar’s counsel and said the accused had no such sickness that could prevent him from returning home.

He argued that witnesses statements were being recorded under criminal procedure.

Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb remarked that how could a person be declared proclaimed offender without being given 30-day time for appearance.

Justice Athar Minallah asked the NAB prosecutor whether the department had verified Ishaq Dar’s medical report in accordance with the orders of accountability court?

Imran Shafiq replied that the report was sent through Foreign Office for verification but no reply was received so far. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that a medical board could have been established to examine the medical reports of Dar to identify the nature of sickness.

After hearing arguments from both sides at large, the bench stayed the proceedings against Ishaq Dar till January 17. —