[VIDEO] Allowing Nawaz Sharif to leave was a 'mistake', says PM Imran Khan

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that allowing former premier Nawaz Sharif to leave the country was a "mistake" and that his government "regretted" the decision.

In a wide-ranging interview to ARY News on Thursday night, the prime minister hinted that the government was pressurised into sending Nawaz abroad, saying that the reports presented to the government suggested that the PML-N supremo was severely ill.

The federal cabinet, he said, had held a long debate over whether the government should let Nawaz leave on humanitarian grounds.

Furthermore, the prime minister added, the court had declared that the government would be responsible, should anything happen to Nawaz. The premier also recalled that PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif submitted indemnity bonds worth Rs7 billion, promising Nawaz would return to the country.

"Now we feel embarrassed. Now he [Nawaz] has started doing politics [from] there as well and, when you see him, it seems like there is nothing [wrong] with him.

"We did not give and NRO, we tried our best to do what we could, but the medical opinion presented to us was that if we didn't do anything, he [Nawaz] could die, that he might not even reach London. This is what we were told and after that we would have been held responsible. So after that we sent him in good faith."

When asked if he would order an inquiry in order to confirm if he was presented with "fake reports", the prime minister said that he had been in contact with Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid — whom he described as a "die-hard, visionary worker" of the ruling PTI — at the time and she conveyed all medical opinions regarding Nawaz's condition. He said that Dr Faisal, who is an expert of infectious diseases, had concluded that Nawaz's platelets count did not pose much of a threat but some related diseases may lead to serious problems.

In response to a question, the prime minister admitted that a royal had asked the government to let Nawaz leave, but refused to take a name citing "international relations".

"They (Sharifs) do have connections abroad. But they (the royal) did not assert it, they said it in a very polite manner. It wasn't like 'if you don't do this, this will happen'."

He, however, insisted that the request from the unnamed king was "not an issue" for him.

"I would never have allowed [Nawaz to leave] if medical opinion did not suggest that his life in danger."

Prime Minister Imran also lamented that the country had suffered in the past because "there have always been two laws, one for the powerful and one for the weak".

He criticised the infamous verdict passed by then chief justice Mohammad Munir that "justified martial law" and added that it "showed that might is right".

FATF blacklist

The PM also addressed the recent opposition move to block two bills regarding measures in compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He pointed out that the country was placed on FATF grey list during PML-N's tenure and the PTI government had introduced the bills in order to prevent the financial watchdog from placing Pakistan on its blacklist.

He warned that if Pakistan was placed on the blacklist, the country would suffer the same challenges as Iran as all international organisations would stop dealing with the country. As a result, he said, the rupee would fall which would lead to inflation.

"People talk about inflation now. If we are placed on the blacklist, we will experience inflation that would ruin our economy."

He repeated that the incumbent government had inherited a crumbling economy, which has only now started to recover. If Pakistan was placed on the blacklist, the country "would face destruction that India is working towards".

He condemned the opposition for blocking the legislation despite knowing that India has been trying to place Pakistan's name on the blacklist for the past two years. He said that the opposition is insisting that the government takes out money laundering sections from the bills and have also proposed 34 amendments in the NAB Ordinance which essentially mean to "dig a grave and bury NAB in it".

[utube]C5gNFrX1jzY[/utube]


https://www.dawn.com/news/1576771/allowing-nawaz-to-leave-was-a-mistake-says-pm-imran

 

[Major]

the prime minister hinted that the government was pressurised into sending Nawaz abroad

Who pressurized them? This shows how weak the leadership is than if they could be pressurized this easily.
Opposition might aswell pressurize him into doing an NRO.

Anyways, when Nawaz was locked up in adyala jail he was given special treatment from day 1. You lot give him special treatment than its obvious you would be lenient to him.

I know for a fact that Nawaz was getting home made cooked meals when he was in Adyala jail. A special chef was hired and given a servant room in one of the houses in adyala road where meals would be cooked for him and provided.

You dont give nro or anything, but you do give special treatment. THese statements are just topidrama.

 

[Varun]

Well spotted, Sherlock!

You were elected on the back of the promise to prosecute him and you let him escape.

 

[Mamoon]

There is no logic in being regretful when you weren’t the one taking the decision in the first place.

While Imran was contemplating on whether to remove the air conditioner from Nawaz’s prison cell, PMLN struck a deal with King Bajwa who was desperate to hold onto his throne.

The deal was that PMLN will support the Army Amendment Act in exchange for King Bajwa getting Nawaz out of prison.

King Bajwa’s highest subject Imran was left pulling his hair out because he didn’t foresee it.

In order to save face and soften the embarrassment somewhat, PTI’s paid stooges in the media quickly cooked up a story of Nawaz paying billions in exchange for leaving the prison, but that fictional scrip flopped big time as well.

So the bottom-line is that Nawaz hasn’t and will not pay a penny and he will also not come back to Pakistan.

Imran’s promises and tall claims fell flat as expected.

 

[Major]

There is no logic in being regretful when you weren’t the one taking the decision in the first place.

While Imran was contemplating on whether to remove the air conditioner from Nawaz’s prison cell, PMLN struck a deal with King Bajwa who was desperate to hold onto his throne.

The deal was that PMLN will support the Army Amendment Act in exchange for King Bajwa getting Nawaz out of prison.

King Bajwa’s highest subject Imran was left pulling his hair out because he didn’t foresee it.

In order to save face and soften the embarrassment somewhat, PTI’s paid stooges in the media quickly cooked up a story of Nawaz paying billions in exchange for leaving the prison, but that fictional scrip flopped big time as well.

So the bottom-line is that Nawaz hasn’t and will not pay a penny and he will also not come back to Pakistan.

Imran’s promises and tall claims fell flat as expected.

but our pti fans have always believe in putting hte blame on the head for every thing that has happened during the last 12 years.

So we should place the blame on the PM for his failed leadership on this matter

 

[saeedhk]

This serves Imran Khan right. It is very easy to mouth-off sitting on top a shipping container! Kaptaan is an absolute when it comes to withstanding pressure: he is a dictionary definition of jelly spine.

Nawaz spat at his face and left the country like a true lion. As [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] mentioned, Nawaz was receiving special VVIP treatment whilst in prison and that too under the PTI’s government. This whole episode was a big drama! The only silver lining was that it dented Imran’s already battered reputation.

Imran Khan has nothing to show for so now again, the PTI government is distracting everybody with Nawaz Sharif!

 

[Syed1]

This serves Imran Khan right. It is very easy to mouth-off sitting on top a shipping container! Kaptaan is an absolute when it comes to withstanding pressure: he is a dictionary definition of jelly spine.

Nawaz spat at his face and left the country like a true lion. As [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] mentioned, Nawaz was receiving special VVIP treatment whilst in prison and that too under the PTI’s government. This whole episode was a big drama! The only silver lining was that it dented Imran’s already battered reputation.

Imran Khan has nothing to show for so now again, the PTI government is distracting everybody with Nawaz Sharif!

Yes taking the economy from a near default to stable waters is 'nothing to show'.

 

[Syed1]

but our pti fans have always believe in putting hte blame on the head for every thing that has happened during the last 12 years.

So we should place the blame on the PM for his failed leadership on this matter

Again trying to deflect from 12 years of loot and plunder of PPP.


Why you ran from that Karachi thread?

 

[Savak]

Lol at the PML N fans showing their true beghairti over their patriotic leader absconding rather than facing his charges and sentence like a man.

 

[saeedhk]

Yes taking the economy from a near default to stable waters is 'nothing to show'.

Common man has not benefitted at all! It is all good for PR. The common man is more concerned about inflation! Zero impact on education and health!

 

[Syed1]

Common man has not benefitted at all! It is all good for PR. The common man is more concerned about inflation! Zero impact on education and health!

You lot were happy with loot and plunder for 70 years but want an honest guy to come in flip a switch and make everything better.


As for education first government to initiate talks on a single national curriculum. Grades 1-5 will be implemented next March. 5-8 in the March following that and so on. Punjab implemented an automated teacher transfer program through which teachers can apply for transfers online previously this was a source of massive corruption every year. There is massive school infrastructure upgradation going in Punjab as well. Insaaf afternoon schools are helping cover some of the infrastructure deficiencies in remote areas. KPK also taking similar measures. Federal government is launching a STEM school program where 100 schools across the country would be converted into specialized STEM schools.


For health, just last week KPK initiated a health insurance plan that covers the entire KPK population with Rs 1 million per year per family. Punjab is also doing something similar with Rs 0.7million per year per family and they have a goal of distributing to 10 million families by the end of this fiscal year. Furthermore for the first time in years hospitals are being built in neglected areas of South Punjab. A 1000 bed Nishtar 2 hospital is currently under construction in Multan. Similar programs are ongoing in KPK as well for example a large hospital is coming up in DI Khan iirc.


Here is a lesson for you, fight with someone in your own league otherwise people me would bury you with such facts.

 

[Pakpak]

Common man has not benefitted at all! It is all good for PR. The common man is more concerned about inflation! Zero impact on education and health!

All you are is a poor parody of a troll at this point, all the bold nonsense has been highlighted again and again and is highlighted once more in the post above by Syed. You're like a bot, spewing out the same words every other post.

 

[rockyboy2018]

Why did you think Bangladesh got separated? Had Altaf Hussain or Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto been in the place of Nawaz sharif, they would have gotten their punishment right away. Imran Khan is a kind of spoilt child he just wanted to record his name in the history books that once upon a time he was the prime minister of Pakistan. Deep down he already knows that who is running Pakistan and who is calling the final shots. And, he could not become a prime minister without the blessings of Army. In Pakistan, top down, bottom up, every instituition and every person is kind of corrupted. I wish Allama Iqbal and Jinnah could have done their home work better. Nevertheless, I love my Pakistan even though it is in ICU.

 

[Bewal Express]

Why did you think Bangladesh got separated? Had Altaf Hussain or Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto been in the place of Nawaz sharif, they would have gotten their punishment right away. Imran Khan is a kind of spoilt child he just wanted to record his name in the history books that once upon a time he was the prime minister of Pakistan. Deep down he already knows that who is running Pakistan and who is calling the final shots. And, he could not become a prime minister without the blessings of Army. In Pakistan, top down, bottom up, every instituition and every person is kind of corrupted. I wish Allama Iqbal and Jinnah could have done their home work better. Nevertheless, I love my Pakistan even though it is in ICU.

Just more tripe-He could have done that under Mush, and would have had much more power to implement the reforms.

 

[saeedhk]

You lot were happy with loot and plunder for 70 years but want an honest guy to come in flip a switch and make everything better.


As for education first government to initiate talks on a single national curriculum. Grades 1-5 will be implemented next March. 5-8 in the March following that and so on. Punjab implemented an automated teacher transfer program through which teachers can apply for transfers online previously this was a source of massive corruption every year. There is massive school infrastructure upgradation going in Punjab as well. Insaaf afternoon schools are helping cover some of the infrastructure deficiencies in remote areas. KPK also taking similar measures. Federal government is launching a STEM school program where 100 schools across the country would be converted into specialized STEM schools.


For health, just last week KPK initiated a health insurance plan that covers the entire KPK population with Rs 1 million per year per family. Punjab is also doing something similar with Rs 0.7million per year per family and they have a goal of distributing to 10 million families by the end of this fiscal year. Furthermore for the first time in years hospitals are being built in neglected areas of South Punjab. A 1000 bed Nishtar 2 hospital is currently under construction in Multan. Similar programs are ongoing in KPK as well for example a large hospital is coming up in DI Khan iirc.


Here is a lesson for you, fight with someone in your own league otherwise people me would bury you with such facts.

Whatever you mentioned is mostly only on paper. All these are not being implemented on ground. PTI is master of propaganda.

 

[saeedhk]

All you are is a poor parody of a troll at this point, all the bold nonsense has been highlighted again and again and is highlighted once more in the post above by Syed. You're like a bot, spewing out the same words every other post.

Come to Pakistan and see it by yourself!

 

[Syed1]

Come to Pakistan and see it by yourself!

You yourself aren't in Pakistan. First follow your own advice.

 

[Syed1]

Whatever you mentioned is mostly only on paper. All these are not being implemented on ground. PTI is master of propaganda.

Yes typical response from someone who has no response and was shown his place.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Tbf it's not a huge deal, most of his stolen money would never have been recovered. The key is to dismantle the corrupt culture and network for the future. PPP is a dead party, PLMN needs to be killed off too, best way taking every penny the government they can and putting all corrupt people behind bars or better still captial punishment.

 

[Pakpak]

Come to Pakistan and see it by yourself!

My family do more for Pakistani people every month than you do sitting on your keyboard.

 

[Pakpak]

Whatever you mentioned is mostly only on paper. All these are not being implemented on ground. PTI is master of propaganda.

What a stupid response. All of this is being implemented. Doctors here from KPK have confirmed it.

You really a joke. A bot spitting forth the same old useless phrases.

 

[Nadeemp]

Two o my friends who were/are pti fans and Canadian citizens are moving back to canada after living in Pakistan for 3-4 years. Say economic situation is terrible. Plus the one in Peshawar does not like the school system. The other lives in lahore.

 

[Pakpak]

Two o my friends who were/are pti fans and Canadian citizens are moving back to canada after living in Pakistan for 3-4 years. Say economic situation is terrible. Plus the one in Peshawar does not like the school system. The other lives in lahore.

So out of four years they spent 2 under PMLN rule as PMLN ruled us four years ago and the other two under PTI rule, the latter of which PTI has spent all their time trying to prevent us from defaulting and going bankrupt.

Either your friends are thick or your story is fake. I'll let the posters on this thread decide.

 

[Nadeemp]

Say what you want . Fact is pti has not lived up to the expectations. Yes they were handed a country in turmoil . However they talked a big game and have fallen flat for now. Mind you I am willing to give pti further time to execute their own. I am not pakistani citizen , but would have voted for pti . No fan of pmln and ppp. However reality on the ground when it comes to economics is very bad. Hence my friend leaving.

 

[Pakpak]

Say what you want . Fact is pti has not lived up to the expectations. Yes they were handed a country in turmoil . However they talked a big game and have fallen flat for now. Mind you I am willing to give pti further time to execute their own. I am not pakistani citizen , but would have voted for pti . No fan of pmln and ppp. However reality on the ground when it comes to economics is very bad. Hence my friend leaving.

Not lived upto your expectations? Is this a joke?

What grand expectations did you have? Mine were to starve off bankruptcy which they have done. Introduce much needed health reforms which they have done in KPK and are doing so in the rest of the nation. They're trying to reform education. All in two years with the economy gutted and mismanaged for decades and here people are judging them after barely 750 days.

If I hadn't seen your posts before I'd be convinced you're trolling.

 

[Nadeemp]

As I have said I am willing to give them some time . They talked a big game and have not delivered yet. That’s just a fact. Let’s see what the future holds.

 

[Pakpak]

As I have said I am willing to give them some time . They talked a big game and have not delivered yet. That’s just a fact. Let’s see what the future holds.

Your opinion doesn't make it fact.

 

[saeedhk]

You lot were happy with loot and plunder for 70 years but want an honest guy to come in flip a switch and make everything better.


As for education first government to initiate talks on a single national curriculum. Grades 1-5 will be implemented next March. 5-8 in the March following that and so on. Punjab implemented an automated teacher transfer program through which teachers can apply for transfers online previously this was a source of massive corruption every year. There is massive school infrastructure upgradation going in Punjab as well. Insaaf afternoon schools are helping cover some of the infrastructure deficiencies in remote areas. KPK also taking similar measures. Federal government is launching a STEM school program where 100 schools across the country would be converted into specialized STEM schools.


For health, just last week KPK initiated a health insurance plan that covers the entire KPK population with Rs 1 million per year per family. Punjab is also doing something similar with Rs 0.7million per year per family and they have a goal of distributing to 10 million families by the end of this fiscal year. Furthermore for the first time in years hospitals are being built in neglected areas of South Punjab. A 1000 bed Nishtar 2 hospital is currently under construction in Multan. Similar programs are ongoing in KPK as well for example a large hospital is coming up in DI Khan iirc.


Here is a lesson for you, fight with someone in your own league otherwise people me would bury you with such facts.

Whatever you mentioned is only on paper. Has any patient received free health care through the insurance plan? Let me know. I have not seem anybody.

The same goes for schools. We still have the same number of out-of-school children.

 

[saeedhk]

You yourself aren't in Pakistan. First follow your own advice.

I never claimed Pakistan has become Sweden under Imran Khan. You make such claims about Pakistan all the time so why not go and live in such a wonderful country!

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court accusing the Punjab government of politicising his health issue as the IHC will take up appeals against his conviction in Al-Azizia and Avenfield property references on Tuesday (today).

An IHC division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani is scheduled to hear the appeals of Maryam Nawaz and retired Captain Mohammad Safdar in the Avenfield reference. Besides, the bench will also take up an appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against acquittal of Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship reference.

All the three references are offshoots of the Panama Papers leak case relating to 785,000 offshore companies. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-i-Islami and Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had brought the matter before the Supreme Court. The apex court had disqualified Nawaz Sharif as prime minister and directed NAB to file three references against the Sharif family and one against then finance minister Ishaq Dar in the accountability court.

Accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir had on July 6, 2018 convicted Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Capt Safdar in the Avenfield reference while they were in the United Kingdom taking care of ailing Kulsoom Nawaz. Following the conviction, the Sharif family members returned to Pakistan and were imprisoned until the IHC released them on bail by suspending their sentence.

IHC takes up appeals against ex-PM’s conviction today; court will also hear NAB plea

Mr Sharif was also convicted by accountability judge Mohammad Arshad Malik in the Al-Azizia reference on Dec 24, 2018. The judge in a secretly recorded video admitted that he had convicted Mr Sharif under duress. He was later dismissed from service for misconduct.

The IHC had in October last year released Nawaz Sharif for a period of eight weeks on medical grounds, asking him to approach the Punjab government for further extension in the bail. The Punjab government, however, rejected the application seeking his bail.

The petition filed by Nawaz Sharif through his counsel Khawaja Haris Ahmed and Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal stated that after the release from jail, the former prime minister was shifted to the Sharif Medical City where successive medical boards had after thorough examination recommended his treatment abroad.

The PTI government removed his name from the exit control list and Mr Sharif went to the UK for his treatment after the opposition leader filed a petition in the Lahore High Court.

According to the petition, after the expiry of two months, the Punjab government was requested for suspension of the sentence as the condition of Mr Sharif’s health did not improve; however, “the government of Punjab, acting maliciously in terms of its planned strategy, proceeded to reject the applicant’s application”.

Explaining the reason for delay in medical treatment of Mr Sharif, the petition stated: “While the initial medical examination and diagnosis preparatory to the applicant’s [Sharif’s] treatment had been conducted in the UK, and treatment options for the multiple ailments from which the applicant was suffering were being finalised, further progress in this regard came to a halt on account of the Covid-19 pandemic that first appeared in the UK in the first week of February 2020 and which thereafter led to virtual and then complete lockdown.”

It said that due to Covid-19, coupled with old age and critical medical condition of Mr Sharif, he was “forced to predominantly confine himself indoors”.

“However, in terms of the Hon’ble Lahore High Court’s order dated November 16, 2019, periodical medical reports of the applicant showing that he had still not regained his health were continuously filed with the learned registrar,” the petition said, adding that the last medical report submitted to the court showed that Mr Sharif did not regain his health and had effectively been advised to remain in the UK for treatment.

It said the Punjab government was aware of the fact “but instead of awaiting the decision of the Hon’ble Lahore High Court, the government of Punjab proceeded to unilaterally reject the applicant’s request in pursuance of its ulterior motives and pre-planned agenda to malign the applicant”.

The petition said that following the rejection of the application seeking extension in bail, Mr Sharif because of ailment and while being abroad could not have surrendered before the court to seek relief and, therefore, he did not file an application before the appropriate forum. It said Mr Sharif had explored various options and was even ready to return, but he was advised to stay in the UK, adding that he was ready to come back on the next available flight as soon as his medical team would give him travelling permission.

Mr Sharif requested the court to either allow his pleader to represent him in the proceedings or adjourn the hearing until his return.

Meanwhile, Amjad Pervaiz, the counsel for Maryam Nawaz and Capt Safdar, filed an application in the IHC with a request for adjourning the Avenfield case until after Sept 5. He argued that since he was already on general adjournment till Sept 5, he could not appear on Sept 1.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1577318/nawaz-slams-punjab-govt-over-health-issue-politics

 

[Syed1]

I never claimed Pakistan has become Sweden under Imran Khan. You make such claims about Pakistan all the time so why not go and live in such a wonderful country!

Lol when did I make such a claim.

 

[Greenstorm]

Whatever you mentioned is only on paper. Has any patient received free health care through the insurance plan? Let me know. I have not seem anybody.

The same goes for schools. We still have the same number of out-of-school children.

People in my village received 'sehat insaf card' many months ago. There has been some mismanagement in their issuance but that is understandable in our society.

This program is up and running on ground and certainly not on paper.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's information minister said Friday that Islamabad has started the legal process to reach an extradition treaty with Britain that would pave the way for the U.K. to hand over former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The development comes after a top Pakistani court earlier this month declared Sharif, who lives in self-imposed exile in London, a fugitive from justice for failing to return home to face additional corruption charges.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz told The Associated Press that it's the responsibility of British authorities not to allow "convicted criminals like Sharif" to remain there. Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison in a separate case, for corruption and money laundering in 2018.

"We are trying, we have tried and we will try" to bring back Sharif, Shibli said in the interview.

Pakistan currently has no extradition treaty with Britain. There was no immediate comment from the U.K. on the development. The process will likely take years and could face stiff resistance in parliament.

Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party is currently holding nationwide rallies demanding Sharif's successor, Prime Minister Imran Khan, step down by the end of the month over alleged bad governance and failing to improve the country's economy.

Khan refuses to resign, and the opposition has vowed to walk out of parliament and provincial assemblies in 2021 to force early mid-term elections. Khan says the elections would be held — but only to fill seats vacated by opposition members.

The 70-year-old Sharif, who ruled the country three times as prime minister, fell from grace after the country's Supreme Court ousted him from office over corruption allegations in 2017. Pakistani authorities in November 2019 temporarily released him on bail amid deteriorating health so that he could travel and seek medical treatment abroad. At the time, another court permitted Sharif to leave the country for four weeks, with the option to extend the time abroad if he was not able to travel afterward.

Sharif's bail later expired and authorities subsequently issued arrest warrants for him.

In 2018, Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption and money laundering. That case was separate from the one pending against Sharif. He has also appealed against his conviction and the Islamabad High Court is now to decide how to handle the appeal in Sharif's absence.

Sharif's party lost the elections in 2018, a vote that saw popular former cricket player Khan become the premier after his party narrowly won parliament majority. Khan has said he wants Sharif brought back to Pakistan for trial.

Faraz said Sharif's family had initially threatened the authorities that "if something happens to him, we will be responsible."

"We did not want to take on the responsibility and we did not want to show that this was a personal case or that it was (an issue of) personal enmity," Faraz said.

https://www.startribune.com/pakistan-starts-legal-process-for-ex-pm-sharifs-extradition/600002659/

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to PM Imran Khan on Accountability Shahzad Akbar has said that it is up to the British government to decide on the extradition of former premier Nawaz Sharif.

According to a report in The News, Akbar told reporters outside Islamabad High Court that the ball was in the United Kingdom government’s court when it comes to extraditing the deposed prime minister.

In October 2019, Nawaz was granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds and a month later he was allowed to travel abroad for treatment for four weeks. The government maintains that Nawaz permitted on condition he would share details of treatment which he didn't do.

It may be added here that the deposed premier has been declared proclaimed offender by Islamabad High Court and an accountability for failing to appear before the bench.

Similarly, the government has also approached UK authorities to extradite Nawaz. Ties between Pakistan and Britain became tense as Islamabad refused to accept a chartered flight from London to Islamabad carrying around three dozen illegal immigrants.

The transportation of immigrants cost the UK government over £300,000. Upon Pakistan's refusal, immigrants were returned to detention centres.

Reportedly, Islamabad insisted on deportation of Nawaz. But a government source said the flight was delayed as it did “not complied with the Pakistani government's coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) and that the UK government had not carried out COVID-19 tests on the deportees.

NAB, Senate deputy speaker tiff

When asked about allegations against the National Accountability Bureau by Senate Deputy Speaker Saleem Mandviwalla, Akbar said every person and institution deems respects. “If someone does not like the law, then change the law. There is room for amendment,” he asserted.

Akbar said targeting an officer of an institute “is not good”.

“If a parliamentarian gives a bad cheque, then the police official would register an FIR as per law. Will this legislator say that his privilege has been breached and we call the police official to the Parliament?”

No power struggle
Akbar also dismissed report of a power rift between himself and Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. “Sheikh Rashid is a minister and he wields powers, while I am special assistant. The court has determined the powers of advisers in its decision,” he said.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/326417-uk-to-decide-on-nawaz-extradition-to-pakistan-pm-imran-khans-aide

 

[MenInG]

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday announced that PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's passport will be cancelled on February 16.

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, he said the opposition had been "exposed" as money launderers and people who obtained iqamas (work permit) because they were not honest with the country.

"Why did all these people use to take iqamas? If I as the interior minister obtain an iqama, it means there is something fishy and I don't have faith in my land," he said.

The minister said all the "thieves" got united when their wealth obtained through money laundering and corruption was exposed and claimed that they were being victimised.

Asked by a reporter "who is next" after PML-N senior leader Khawaja Asif's arrest on Tuesday, Rashid said it wasn't yet known but added: "[We] will cancel Nawaz Sharif's passport on February 16." He did not provide any details.

Nawaz has been living in London since November last year after he was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment.

Earlier this month, the PML-N leader was declared a proclaimed offender in two cases — Avenfield properties and Al-Azizia — by the Islamabad High Court after he failed to appear before the court.

The same day, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar said that United Kingdom authorities had been asked to deport the convicted former prime minister from their country.

He said Pakistan had written a letter to the UK to cancel the visa of Nawaz which was issued for medical treatment after taking an undertaking.

A highly placed source in the UK had told Dawn last month that a top Pakistani official met his British counterpart in October to convey that Nawaz is “no longer a soft issue” between the UK and Pakistan and failure to deport him could result in strained ties between the countries.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in October said he would contact British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, if needed, to discuss his deportation and his adviser Akbar wrote a letter to British Home Secretary Priti Patel on October 5 urging her to deport the former premier whom he said is “responsible for pillaging the state”.

In Nawaz’s case, the government of Pakistan is hoping to persuade UK authorities to bring about a “forced removal”, sometimes called “administrative removal” — a scenario in which the Home Office enforces an individual’s removal from the UK if they don’t have leave to remain i.e. if their application has been declined or if their leave to remain has expired, Dawn reported.

While the Nawaz case is exceptional in that it involves a major political personality, it has come to the UK Home Office at a time when it is under fire at home for being a haven for foreign nationals accused of corruption.

Journalists and rights groups in the last few years have criticised the policies of the British government, which they say have made the UK “a safe haven for corrupt wealth”. Transparency International had called for the British government to launch an investigation into Nawaz’s London properties in 2018 when he was convicted in the Avenfield case and subsequently sentenced for 10 years.

 

[Hasan]

Interesting development:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....an-rejected-extradition-flight-former-pm/amp/