Toshakhana reference: Court issues arrest warrant for former PM Nawaz Sharif

An accountability court Friday issued an arrest warrant against former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and directed former President Asif Ali Zardari to appear on June 11 in Toshakhana reference.

As per details, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani appeared before the court while Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London for medical treatment, and Asif Zardari have skipped the hearing.

During the proceedings, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor has asked the court to issue an arrest warrant against Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Yousaf Raza Gillani, and Omni Group Director Abdul Ghani Majeed.

NAB prosecutor said that Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif got cars from Yousaf Raza Gillani in an unlawful way. Asif Ali Zardari had only paid 15 percent cost of the cars by using his bogus accounts, however, Libya and United Arab Emirates (UAE) also gifted his cars when he was serving as president, he told. NAB official testified that Asif Ali Zardari used these cars for his work instead of submitting them to Toshakhana.

On the other hand, The counsel of former president, Asad Abbasi advocate said an exemption request from the court presentation would be registered in the court. My client is critically ill and hospitalized, therefore he should be given immunity from a court appearance, he added.

The NAB had filed a reference with the accountability court against the former political leaders of the state for not returning luxury vehicles and expensive gifts taken from the foreign leaders in the treasury.

According to NAB Nawaz Sharif got a car without any application in 2008 when he was not holding any public office, the anti-corruption watchdog’s representative stated. 

Owners of Omni Group, Khawaja Anwar Majeed, and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Majeed were also nominated as accused in the reference.

The hearing of the case is adjourned till June 11th.