Sedition case: Court declares Shehbaz gill proclaimed offender

Islamabad: A district and sessions court in the federal capital declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill proclaimed offender in the sedition case on Wednesday.

Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra made the announcement after the suspect repeatedly ignored notices to appear in court for an extended period of time.

The court started the process to seize properties of Gill as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) have submitted details of his properties.

The PTI leader's requests for a virtual appearance and a stay on the case were both denied by the court during the hearing.

Judge Sipra remarked that the proceedings for declaring a suspect proclaimed offender could not be halted unless the suspect appeared in court. He said Gill had been facilitated to move abroad.

According to Gill's attorney, the PTI leader traveled abroad for medical care.

Later, the hearing was postponed until August 31 by the court.