Dar's surety-giver seeks three weeks to present finance minister before court

Requests court to not fortify surety bonds worth Rs5 million

ISLAMABAD: Ishaq Dar’s surety-giver has requested the court to grant him three weeks to bring the finance minister before the court.

During a hearing in a National Accountability Bureau reference case pertaining to Dar amassing assets beyond his know means of income, Dar’s surety-giver Ahmad Ali Quddusi appeared before the court.

He also requested the court not to confiscate surety bonds -worth Rs5 million. Upon this, the court asked the Quddusi to present his argument before the court on November 29.



The accountability court had issued a show-cause notice to Dar’s surety giver, seeking an explanation to why surety worth Rs5 million may not be forfeited.

The accountability court has initiated proclamation proceedings against Dar over repeated failure to appear before the court.

Declaring Dar ‘absconder’, Justice Muhammad Bashir ordered NAB to initiate proceedings under section 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code and submit a report within 10 days.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday approved Dar’s ‘medical leave’, which may eventually bring an end to his almost four and a half year stint as the financial wizard of the country.

PM Abbasi also withdrew all the cabinet portfolios from Dar. The premier immediately assumed the responsibilities of the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs. There is a possibility that the PM will soon announce a formal arrangement to run the economic affairs of the country, as the $304 billion economy faces serious challenges including constant pressure on its external front.