SC seeks report on steps taken to bring back Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought progress report from relevant authorities within one week on steps taken to bring back former finance minister Ishaq Dar. A three member of the apex court headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case. The attorney general, additional attorney general and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor appeared before the court in Ishaq Dar’s possessing assets beyond sources of income case. The attorney general informed the court that Dar’s diplomatic and other passport have been cancelled. He added that the Interior Ministry has also blacklisted the former finance minister on NAB’s request. “The travelling documents will be provided Dar for returning back to the country.” The attorney general informed the SC that he has spoken to concerned authorities regarding Dar’s return. The NAB prosecutor informed the court that Pakistani properties of Ishaq Dar have been seized and they were trying to find his properties in UK and Saudi Arabia. He sought time for submitting report for this purpose. Justice Nisar then questioned that can the state bring him back any absconder. To reply, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor said that the accused can only be brought back through Interpol, adding that Pakistan has no extradition treaty with the UK regarding transfer of accused. The attorney general said that Dar will be brought back into country as soon as possible. The court sought progress report from relevant authorities within one week on steps taken to bring back former finance minister Ishaq Dar and adjourned the hearing of the case till next week. The former finance minister is accused of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income. A reference against the former finance minister was filed by the NAB in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case. Dar had earlier been declared a proclaimed offender by the accountability court due to his continuous absence from the proceedings.