SC directs NAB to ensure repatriation of Dar within 10 days

ISLAMABAD, Sep 06 (APP):Supreme Court on Thursday directed National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure former finance minister Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan within ten days.

If Dar would not return to the country then its consequences could be harmful, authorities had to ensure his return at any cost, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked.
Ishaq Dar, a Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) leader, has been in London since October last year on account of his medical treatment and has been declared an absconder in the corruption case against him.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case in connection with Mr. Dar’s repatriation to the country.
During course of proceedings, CJ inquired from the NAB officials regarding steps taken by them till now.
A NAB representative apprised the court that the matter had been referred to the Interpol,” and written a letter to the Ministry of Interior for the issuance of a red warrant.
Justice Nisar asked the Additional Attorney General (AAG) that ” if Dar’s passport is cancelled then what would be the consequences.” 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,” Justice Nisar said.
“Dar is roaming around on the streets of London but not ready to come back and when court summons him, he cites his ailment as the reason of failure to return to Pakistan,” the CJP remarked.
The top judge further directed all concerned departments 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.