SC starts proceedings for Dar’s repatriation

Former finance minister may get political asylum if his passport, CNIC cancelled, bench told

ISLAMABAD: After starting efforts to extradite Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani, the top court has initiated proceedings for extradition of former finance minister Ishaq Dar, who has already been declared as absconder and he is now staying in England.

The Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday resumed hearing of  a case about bringing back Dar, who left the country soon after a court initiated proceedings against him in a graft case filed in line with the SC’s July 2017 Panamagate verdict.



Currently, three high-profile individuals – former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Haqqani and Dar – are absconders. However, the bench has asked the government to make efforts for extradition of Haqqani and Dar.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been asked to approach Interpol for extradition of Haqqani, who is facing trial for his controversial memo sent to the US authorities in 2011 during the last Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in a bid to seek help against the military establishment.

Interpol has refused to cooperate in the matter related to Pervez Musharraf. However, the Interior Ministry has also contacted it for the extradition of Hussain and Hassan, former premier Nawaz Sharif’s sons, who have also been declared absconders by the accountability court.

When the Interior secretary, the foreign secretary and NAB prosecutor general on Thursday appeared before the SC bench, the CJP asked them whether Pakistan is so helpless that it cannot bring back an absconder from other country. What steps have been taken for bringing him (Dar) back, he asked.

The Additional Attorney General for Pakistan (AAGP) Nayyar Rizvi told the bench that the government has already approached Interpol for extradition of Dar and now awaiting a response. “Generally the Interpol takes 3 months to complete its requirement regarding repatriation of an accused,” he said.

Regarding cancelation of Dar’s passport and CNIC, Rizvi said he had already moved an application to explain the process regarding the cancellation of these documents. However, he said, Dar may get political asylum due to cancellation of official documents. The bench emphasised that Dar should come as he contested the Senate election and he has no threat in Pakistan. Dar is not an ordinary man, it noted.

NAB prosecutor general requested the bench to give him time to look into the matter. The bench noted that Dar is also required in other cases.  Later, the officials held a meeting to find out ‘way’ to bring him back. They will share their plan regarding Dar with the bench on next Tuesday, sources said.



Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Talal Chaudhry has filed an appeal against his conviction by the apex court in a contempt case. The appeal has been filed through Kamran Murtaza advocate against the SC’s August 2 verdict.

In the current year, three PML-N parliamentarians Talal Chaudhry, Daniyal Aziz and Nehal Hashmi were convicted in contempt cases. Cases under Anti-Terrorism Act were also registered against a few PML-N and PPP workers for using abusive language against the top judge.