Bailable arrest warrant issued for former PM Abbasi

Petitioner contended that Nawaz's interview left a dent on the country's sovereignty

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant for former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during the hearing of a petition demanding treason proceedings against deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif.



The court set bail against a surety bond of Rs1 million and ordered the superintendent of Rawalpindi prison to act on the court notice against Nawaz. A senior superintendent from Islamabad was also ordered to act on the notice issued to a journalist for publishing the controversial interview regarding the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The petitioner had argued that the controversial interview had dented the country's image and sovereignty and alleged that Abbasi supported Nawaz in the matter. The petitioner further prayed upon the court to order a treason trial against the three respondents.

In July, LHC decided to adjourn the hearing till after the general elections.

The petition, lodged earlier by Advocate Azhar Siddiqui, alleged that Abbasi shared crucial details of the National Security Council meeting with Nawaz following his statements on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and also claimed that by leaking details of the NSC, Abbasi has committed high treason.



A three-judge bench of the LHC was constituted to hear the petition and notices were sent to both respondents to appear before the bench. However, Abbasi had entered the courtroom only to say that he had received no summons in this regard and was present on court grounds for his disqualification hearing.