The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs as well as National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to prepare a mechanism for bringing back former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar from the United Kingdom.
On court's direction, Secretary Interior Yousaf Naseem Khokar, Secretary Foreign Affairs Tehmina Janjua and prosecutor NAB appeared before the court and sought time to chalk out a plan for the extradition of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader from the UK.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a case related to the appointment of Attaullah Qasmi as the PTV MD. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the direction of the apex court had suspended the Senate membership of former finance minister in June.
The additional attorney general informed the court that Pakistan does not have extradition treaty with the UK. The court was told that Interpol was contacted to bring back Dar, but the authorities informed that Interpol could be approached only through FIA or NAB.
The Chief Justice said that Dar should be asked through telephone to come back to Pakistan. He remarked that the country is facing a difficult situation while Dar is wandering around in England.
The Chief Justice asked whether Dar's passport could be cancelled and asked the relevant ministries to give proposals how to bring him back. He questioned if Dar's passport is cancelled then it is possible for him to stay in London. The bench also noted the former finance minister had been absconding in another case.
He then said that after cancellation of passport, Dar would take political asylum there by telling the UK authorities that the courts in Pakistan are doing injustice with him.
He said that Dar had contested Senate election, asking, "Are we so helpless that we can't bring former finance minister back?" The bench ordered them to file report if the passport is cancelled then what could be its consequences. Later, the hearing was adjourned until September 12.