IHC rejects plea against issuing Nawaz diplomatic passport

Imposes Rs5,000 fine on petitioner; asks where and who issued the order he was challenging

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared on Monday a petition challenging the issuance of a diplomatic passport to convicted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as inadmissible, and imposed a fine of Rs5,000 on the petitioner.

The ruling was announced after being reserved by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah earlier in the day.

The petitioner had earlier contended that Nawaz should not be issued a passport on the grounds that he was an "absconding convict”. “Therefore, authorities should be barred from issuing a diplomatic passport to him.”

During the hearing today, the IHC chief justice asked the petitioner's counsel what order of the federal government's was he challenging. "The court cannot give a verdict in the air," the CJ added.

“Where has the order been issued and who has issued an order that you are challenging? Why not reject your application with a penalty?” the CJ asked.

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Justice Minallah further remarked that there were laws related to dealing with absconders, adding that the law must take its own course.

“There are many other issues. Why did you bring this issue unnecessarily?” the CJ inquired.

The petitioner's lawyer argued that the news was circulating in the media. "We also consider the dignity of the court," the counsel said.

“If given time, we will try to get the order from the government,” the counsel further said.

The plea was two days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly ordered for his brother be issued a diplomatic passport so he can return to Pakistan.