SC directs NAB to ensure Dar’s repatriation within 10 days
islamabad — The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday directed anti-graft watchdog the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure former finance minister Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan within 10 days.
If Dar would not return to the country then its consequences could be harmful, the authorities had to ensure his return at any cost, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked. Ishaq Dar, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, has been in London since October last year on account of his medical treatment and has been declared an absconder in a corruption case against him.
A three-member bench headed by the chief justice heard the case in connection with Dar’s repatriation to the country.
During the course of proceedings, the CJ asked the NAB officials about steps taken by them in this regard till now. A NAB representative apprised the court that the matter had been referred to the Interpol,” and a letter has been written to the Ministry of Interior for the issuance of a Red Warrant.
Chief Justice Nisar asked the Additional Attorney General (AAG) that “if Dar’s passport is cancelled then what would be the consequences.” The AAG apprised the court that the absconder could take asylum in the said country in case of the cancellation of his passport.
“The court is most upset at the fact that Dar has repeatedly ignored summons,” the chief justice said.
“Dar is roaming around on the streets of London but not ready to come back and whenever the court summons him, he cites his ailment as the reason for failure to return to Pakistan,” the CJ remarked.
The top judge further directed the all departments concerned to sit together and make mechanism for early repatriation of Dar.
Further hearing of the case was adjourned till September 11.
The former finance minister is accused of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income and a NAB reference had been filed against him. —