Govt to continue efforts for Dar's extradition

Meanwhile, NAB says it has identified Dar’s properties

ISLAMABAD: The government is holding consultations for the repatriation of former finance minister Ishaq Dar, the Supreme Court (SC) was informed on Tuesday.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Umar Ata Bandial resumed the hearing of the case pertaining to illegal appointment of former Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) managing director Attaul Haq Qasmi.

The apex court declared Dar an absconder in the case owing to his continuous absence in hearings despite repeated warnings by the top judge.

In Tuesday’s hearing, the Attorney General Anwar Mansoor informed the apex court that Dar and his wife’s diplomatic and normal passports had been cancelled. “Currently, he is not in possession of travel documents.”



When the chief justice inquired how Dar would return to Pakistan without travel documents, the AG said there was a process for repatriation. “Have you dealt with the matter?” probed Justice Nisar. “I have discussed the matter with competent authorities,” replied Mansoor.

Justice Nisar also asked whether Mansoor was aware that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader had been declared an absconder by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for failing to appear in corruption references. “Can the state still not bring him back?” he asked.



Justice Ahsan cited an agreement with the United Kingdom for the extradition of government servants to which the attorney general replied by saying that the government needed to approach courts in the UK for the process.

Meanwhile, NAB prosecutor informed SC that the anti-graft watchdog had identified Dar’s properties and was working on proving a money trail.

The apex court advised the concerned institution to continue efforts for Dar’s extradition and adjourned the hearing for one week.