The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a fugitive in Azizia Steel Mills and Avonfield References for not appearing despite a summon.
Guarantors have also been summoned on December 9 by issuing show cause notices for confiscation of bail bonds filed for Nawaz Sharif’s release on bail.
A bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani heard appeals against the sentence of former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Azizia and Avonfield references.
Foreign Office Director Europe Mubashir Khan recorded a statement from the Royal Mail presenting Nawaz Sharif’s certified receipt for the delivery of advertisements.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officers Ejaz Ahmed and Tariq Masood recorded statements that advertisements were posted outside Nawaz Sharif’s Jati Umrah and Model Town Lahore residences and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) requested Nawaz Sharif’s Appeal to be rejected.
On this occasion, Justice Amir Farooq said that they should assist the court and present judicial precedents as to what should be done about the appeal of the advertiser. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani remarked that this court should also look into the conduct of Arshad Malik. Justice Amir Farooq said that Judge Arshad Malik had given an affidavit which we had made part of the record under administrative powers.
Witness Mubashir Khan told the court that he had received Nawaz Sharif’s advertisements from this court. He had sent the advertisements from the Foreign Office to the Pakistan High Commission in London.
He said that the Pakistan High Commission replied to the Foreign Office on November 9, informing Nawaz Sharif about the compliance of advertisements through Royal Mail and receiving a certified copy of compliance with advertisements through Royal Mail on November 30. ۔
After the completion of the statement of Foreign Officer Mubashir Khan on which the court made the documents presented by the Director Europe Foreign Office Mubashir Khan part of the court record.
The NAB prosecutor said that Nawaz Sharif has filed a petition to produce five witnesses, the second petition has been filed by Nasir Butt and he is also a notorious accused on which the court said that Judge Arshad Malik also gave an affidavit which was made part of the record in administrative powers.
Justice Amir Farooq said that at the next hearing, the court should be told whether to look at various miscellaneous petitions or appeals first, while Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said that there is a supervisory body on the special court of the High Court.
Justice Amir Farooq remarked that even if the accused is Fugitive, the court has to look into the law.
The court, while declaring Nawaz Sharif a fugitive, said that a written verdict would be issued shortly.
