NAB seeks access to Nawaz Sharif's flight to execute bailable arrest warrants

Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approached the Airport Security Force (ASF) seeking access to former premier Nawaz Sharif's flight to execute his bailable arrest warrants.

According to the letter written to the chief of Airport Security Force, the accountability bureau sought access to Nawaz Sharif's flight when the former prime minister returns to the country at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad.

Sharif left for Islamabad from London’s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday night on PIA flight PK 786. He is to appear before the accountability court on Friday, November 3, in connection with a reference filed against him by NAB in line with the Supreme Court directive in the Panamagate case.

In the letter, NAB has stated that it wished to comply with the orders of the court to bring Nawaz Sharif to the accountability court.

The accountability court had on Thursday started the trial of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was charge-sheeted by the court last week in all three NAB references, did not turn up at the court since he is in Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyer Khawaja Haris attended the hearing.

As the hearing begun, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Haris filed an application of his client seeking exemption from personal appearance in the court for seven days.

The court first reserved its decision on the plea and later announced to dismiss Sharif’s plea. The court issued bailable arrest warrants for him before adjourning the hearing till Nov 3.