Pakistan
Govt challenges LHC decision allowing Shehbaz Sharif to fly abroad
Islamabad: Federal government has filed a petition in Supreme Court (SC) challenging the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision allowing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif to travel abroad.
According to details, the government in its petition has argued how the honorable judge of LHC could allow abroad travel without issuing notices to concerned departments.
The Lahore High Court did not seek a reply from the concerned authorities. Therefore, the decision of the court should be declared null and void, the petition stated.
On the other hand, the Opposition Leader in National Assembly has decided to move LHC to get his name out of Exit Control List (ECL).
Earlier today, Federal Interior Minister, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed while announcing that Shehbaz Sharif’s name has been placed on no-fly list, said that it will be difficult to bring him back if he is allowed to travel abroad.
The interior minister said that already five members of Sharif family are absconders and wanted by government.
“Shehbaz Sharif had given the guarantee of his brother [former premier] Nawaz Sharif's return. Instead of bringing him back, he himself is running abroad,” he said adding that the Opposition Leader in National Assembly did not submit any medical reports just like his brother.
Sheikh Rasheed further stated that except Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President, names of all accused are on no-fly list.
“The case against Shehbaz is pending and if he is given permission to fly abroad, the proceedings of case would be affected. The law should be equal for everyone. We have added his name on ECL after cabinet’s approval and has informed all relevant authorities about the decision,” he said.
It should be noted that on April 22, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had approved Shehbaz Sharif on bail in a case about assets beyond means. On May 07, court also allowed him to fly abroad for eight weeks on medical grounds.
However on May 08, the PML-N President was offloaded at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport from a Doha-bound flight by the immigration officials as his name was on the provincial identification list (PNIL).
The PML-N leader was issued a boarding pass but was barred from boarding the plane after immigration officers cited system update issues.