Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its decision whether it would hear the contempt of court petition against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Supremo Nawaz Sharif regarding the latter’s return to Pakistan.
During the hearing on Monday, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the federal cabinet had removed the names of the Sharif brothers from the Exit Control List (ECL). He also said that the federal cabinet had not sought the permission from the court to remove the names from the ECL.
The petitioner’s lawyer Syed Zafar Ali Shah maintained that Lahore High Court’s order was issued on the request of Shehbaz Sharif, while the IHC heard two appeals from Nawaz Sharif.
Petition also maintained that the then federal cabinet had permitted Nawaz to go abroad with a condition of Rs25 million.
He questioned Barrister Zafar Ali if the court had the authority to take action on the matter that was under hearing in another court.
CJ Minallah said that the court could have dismissed the case with an exemplary fine but it would not do that as Shah was a senior advocate. He asked Shah if he wanted a court order or withdrawal of petition.
Barrister Syed Zafar Ali Shah said that if the court wanted to reject the request, then he would withdraw the application and go to the Lahore High Court.
CJ Minallah concluded by saying that an appropriate order would be issued on the request.
It is pertinent to mention that Barrister Zafar, in his petition, mentioned that Nawaz Sharif showed his health documents in Lahore High Court and asked for permission to go abroad for treatment. Moreover, Shahbaz Sharif submitted an affidavit to send Nawaz Sharif abroad.
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