PM Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan: Shehbaz Sherif’s poisoned chalice
The first battle is won. Facing new Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif is a set of challenges: coalition, economy, time itself and a seething Imran Khan
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif bats for meaningful engagement with India
Responding to PM Modi’s letter, Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif batted for meaningful engagement with India and peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes between the two countries.
“We believe that peaceful and cooperative ties between Pakistan and India are imperative for the progress and socio-economic uplift of our people and the region.
On April 11, the Pakistan parliament appointed Sharif as the 23rd prime minister of the country, a day after Imran Khan was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote.
In a Twitter post, PM Modi congratulated Sharif on becoming the prime minister of Pakistan and said India desires peace and stability in a region free of terrorism.
ISLAMABAD HC rejects plea against issuing a diplomatic passport to ex- Pak PM Nawaz Sharif
On Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed a plea against issuing a diplomatic passport to former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The petitioner claimed that the interior and foreign affairs secretaries were given orders for the issuance of the diplomatic passport.
The petitioner contended that Nawaz “is a court absconder who was convicted by a learned NAB (National Accountability Bureau) Court for corruption.
It is a violation of the law, a mockery of the justice system, and a disgrace to the nation if a diplomatic passport is issued to a convict”.
THE COURT’S ORDER
The court noted in its order today that the petitioner was unable to produce any order, direction, or notification issued by the federal government to substantiate his claim.
“It is noted that no evidentiary value was attached to the press reports and no reliance can be placed on it when a person claims a legal right on its basis. It was settled law that courts will not decide cases based on press reports,” Samaa TV quoted Chief Justice Athar Minallah as saying.
THE CASE
This development follows the election of Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister, with media reports stating that the Ministry of Interior has been directed to renew Nawaz Sharif’s and his brother-in-law Ishaq Dar’s passports.
Further, PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan “before the next elections.”
Nawaz Sharif, who is convicted in a corruption case, has been living in London under the “pretext of ill health” since November 2019, when the Lahore High Court permitted him to leave the country for four weeks for medical treatment.
Shehbaz Sharif had given an undertaking at the time that the senior Sharif would return within the stipulated time. Later, Nawaz Sharif sought extensions to prolong his stay in London on medical grounds.
In August of last year, Nawaz Sharif filed an appeal with the British Immigration Tribunal after the Home Department refused to extend his stay in the country any further on “medical grounds.”
Nawaz Sharif can legally remain in the UK till the tribunal issues its decision on his plea for his stay in the country. His passport had expired in February 2021.
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