Interpol asked to repatriate Sofia Mirza’s ex-husband

Case rests on custody over two daughters.


Zahid Gishkori January 30, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked for Interpol’s help to repatriate actress Sofia Mirza’s former husband, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s order to recover her two daughters from the custody of Umar Farooq.

The apex court, taking up the case between Mirza and Farooq over the custody of their two daughters, had directed the ministry of foreign affairs and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take strict measures to ensure Farooq’s immediate appearance before the court.

“The interior minister requested help in ensuring the presence of Umar Farooq, presently living in Europe, who is required in compliance of the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan,” said an official statement. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, in his meeting with Secretary General Interpol Ronald K Noble, forwarded the request on Sunday in Dubai, added the statement.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry had inquired how Farooq, along with his two daughters, succeeded in escaping from the country despite their names being on the Exit Control List. He had directed the interior ministry to cancel Farooq’s passport immediately. The Lahore High Court and the family court in Lahore have already been issued warrants for the arrest of Farooq, who presently lives in the United Arab Emirates, according to Sofia’s counsel Amir Rana.

“It seemed that the authorities have failed to implement the court’s order,” he told The Express Tribune. “The court might issue strict orders against Farooq on his non-cooperative attitude on Tuesday. It depends on the UAE authorities if Farooq is repatriated or not, as the matter related to his daughters is still ongoing in local courts,” said FIA legal director Azam Khan while quoting the foreign office’s latest statement.

Rome Ministerial Conference

Interior Minister Rehman Malik will attend the ministerial conference in Rome this year. The secretary general of Interpol had invited Rehman Malik to discuss the issues related to terrorism in the South Asian region.

Transnational Organized Crime Conference

The secretary general of Interpol will attend the Transnational Organized Crime Conference as a chief guest to highlight issues related to organised crime. The conference will focus on the drug proceeds financing for terrorism.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2012.

COMMENTS (1)

Mohammad Ali Siddiqui | 12 years ago | Reply

The matter of ex-husband of Sofia Mirza is a personal matter but appearance of Mansoor Ejaz before the Judicial Commission is a matter of public interest.

The Supreme Court should also ask FIA to request Interpol to produce Mansoor Ejaz in Pakistan as enough time has been given by the court to Mansoor Ejaz to appear.

A extension of two month have also been given to the Judicial Commission by the Supreme Court which is creating anxiety in the general public as what could be result of memo scandal case.

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