Sharif summoned through newspaper adverts on Nov 24

The Islamabad High Court has summoned former prime minister Nawaz Sharif through newspaper advertisements on November 24.

In an order issued on Friday, the IHC noted that it was left with no option but to proceed further under section 87 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 and order issuance of proclamation for effecting service and intimating the appellant to appear before the court on the date fixed.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Aamer Farooq observed that examination of statements of witnesses as well as the documents showed that all out efforts were made for effecting service of non-bailable warrants of arrest on Sharif to ensure his attendance before the court.

“However, despite efforts, it is abundantly clear that service of warrants could not be effected. It is not possible to conclude in such circumstances that appellant is unaware about the pendency of appeal or the requirement to appear before the court, especially so as learned principal counsel for appellant namely Kh. Haris Ahmed, Senior Advocate Supreme Court, stopped appearing in the matter after order dated 15.09.2020.”

The federal government has also submitted expenses for newspaper advertisements to summon Sharif before the IHC in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references.

The additional attorney general deposited Rs60,000 at the IHC registrar’s office. The law officer also wrote a letter to the court regarding the payment, referring to the October 7 order.

The PML-N supreme leader was declared a proclaimed offender earlier in September and had refused multiple times to receive the arrest warrant issued in his name. The arrest warrant was sent twice by-hand and once via Britain’s Royal Mail.

The IHC has instructed that if Sharif did not appear within 30 days after the advertisement was published, then he would be declared an absconder. An advertisement would also be pasted on Sharif’s residence in London.

Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission in London submitted its statement on the execution of non-bailable arrest warrant for the convicted former premier.

During the hearing, First Secretary Pakistan High Commission London Dildar Ali Abro’s statement said that a secretary of one of Nawaz’s son, Waqar Ahmed, told him that he would receive Nawaz’s arrest warrants at former primer’s current residence in Park Lane.

Abro further said that he apprised the High Commission about the discussion with Ahmed regarding the execution of warrants and sought permission to execute them at the given address.

“After the approval from the authorities concerned, Ahmed had agreed to receive the arrest warrants on September 23 at 11:00 am (BST),” Abro said. “At 10:20 am, Waqar called me and refused to receive the warrants.”

Consul Attaché Pakistan High Commission London Rao Abdul Hanan said in his statement that he went to Nawaz Sharif’s residence to enforce the non-bailable arrest warrants on September 17 at 6:35 pm [BST].

“Nawaz Sharif’s personal employee, Muhammad Yaqub, refused to receive the arrest warrants thus they could not be executed.”

Foreign Ministry Director Europe Mubashir Khan also recorded his statement wherein he said that he has copies of Sharif’s arrest warrant.

“The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Nawaz Sharif in two appeals,” he said. “Arrest warrants were received by post which was sent in a diplomatic bag with a cover letter. Receipt and delivery of mail were registered in the register book.”