Former PM Sharif 'unlikely' to return to Pakistan by Sept.10 to face courts

Tariq Butt, Correspondent 

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is unlikely to return to Pakistan by Sept.10 to face cases against him as his surgery in London has scheduled this month and his party bigwigs and the Sharif family members have also requested him to extend his stay till completion of his treatment.

Sharif’s treatment in London is scheduled in a couple of weeks, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said. "How come he can return home leaving his treatment in the midway? Neither the Sharif family nor the party is ready to compromise on the health of Nawaz Sharif and they want him to return after completion of his treatment.”

He said the Sharif family had been in consultation with its legal team and weighing options like filing an appeal against the court’s decision (directing him to return by Sept.10) or submitting “fresh medical reports and upcoming treatment schedule” on next hearing of the case (Sept.10).

The PML-N leader said the party stalwarts had also requested Sharif to ‘get well first’ before making up his mind to return home to face cases and take part in politics. "However, some emotional voices in the party want their leader to return and spearhead the campaign to send Imran Khan’s government packing.”

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PML-N president and opposition leader in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif has also hinted at no immediate plan to return.

Asked whether Nawaz Sharif would return by Sept.10 to face courts, Shahbaz Sharif said: "We always respected courts and law. Nawaz Sharif will return to the country if doctors (in London) allow him. Nawaz Sharif’s health matter is serious and once he gets well he will appear before courts here.”

He said his elder brother (Nawaz) and he underwent imprisonment. "My niece Maryam was arrested and sent to jail and my son Hamza is still in jail. We respect courts and continue doing so,” he said.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Nawaz Sharif to appear before the court and surrender to the authorities by Sept.10 or face legal proceedings for absconding.

Meanwhile, an accountability court of Lahore has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Nawaz Sharif in the plot allotment reference and directed the foreign ministry to implement the order through the Pakistan High Commission in London.

Judge Asad Ali heard the reference wherein special prosecutor Harris Qureshi appeared on behalf of the NAB.

Model Town Police Station Lahore’s Inspector Bashir Ahmed presented Sharif’s arrest warrant report and stated that the former premier was not at his residence. He said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ata Tarar confirmed that the party leader had been abroad for six months.

The NAB prosecutor urged the court to issue non-bailable arrest warrants for Sharif. Hearing the appeal, the court issued the warrants.

The Islamabad High Court had directed Sharif to appear before it on Sept.10, warning that otherwise it would declare him an absconder and also initiate action against those who acted as guarantors when the PML-N leader was granted bail by the court.