Proclamations for summoning convicted former premier Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield and Al-Aziza Steel Mills references before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) were published on Monday.
The PML-N supremo was declared a proclaimed offender earlier in September and had refused multiple times to receive the arrest warrants issued in his name. The arrest warrants were sent twice by-hand and once via Britain’s Royal Mail.
The text of the proclamation stated that Nawaz was sentenced to 10-year imprisonment and fine which was suspended on September 19, 2018, and he was released on bail. The text further stated that Nawaz was required to appear before the court during the hearing and arrest warrants were issued to ensure Nawaz’s attendance which could not be complied with.
The proclamation added that Nawaz should appear before the court on November 24. In reference to the second reference, the advertisement stated that Nawaz was granted eight-weeks bail in the Al-Aziza reference but the former premier did not appear before the court to follow the hearings on appeals after suspension of sentence and bail.
The IHC said that court was satisfied with the filed reports which said that Nawaz is a fugitive and is deliberately avoiding proceedings.
On October 15, the federal government sought IHC’s permission to publish proclamation of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in two leading newspapers of the United Kingdom (UK) for ‘effective service’.
Assistant Attorney General Muhammad Nadeem Khan Khakwani submitted a two-page application in the IHC.
The petition stated that the “applicant (federal government) seeks indulgence of the IHC for permission to publish the proclamation of Nawaz Sharif in Daily Telegraph (London) and Daily Guardian (London) for the proper administration of justice for fulfilling the requirements of the law as a convict (Nawaz Sharif) is currently residing at Avenfield apartments Mayfair properties London UK.”
Therefore, it is necessary that publication be made in these newspapers for effective service, the petition added.
It is also stated that requisite charges would be undertaken and borne by the federal government.