Nawaz Sharif on ECL: PML-N moves court

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday, to request the removal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s name from the no-fly list.

In the hearing today at the High Court, Nawaz’s counsel argued before the court that at the time of granting the bail, there were no conditions set upon the former prime minister.

Following which, the court asked the Attorney General to tell the court whether the fine imposed by the government was a part of the accountability court’s verdict.

“Does the ECL ordinance give the centre authority to give permission for a one-time visit abroad?” said the court.

The AG asked the court to grant him a one-day permission to respond in the case, following which the hearing was adjourned until Friday.

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Sharif, the PML-N’s supremo, has decided that if he does not get any relief from the court, then he will not travel to the United Kingdom for his medical treatment, reveal those privy to developments.

“Nawaz Sharif has informed his family about his decision,” a source told Geo.tv, adding that the petition has also been drafted, which will be submitted in the court later today.

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif   said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government’s decision to demand indemnity bond for allowing former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is akin to asking for ransom.

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The government on Wednesday agreed to let the former prime minister travel abroad to seek specialized care, for a four-week period, provided he submits an indemnity bonds worth Rs7 billion.

Speaking to the media, Law Minister Farogh Naseem said that keeping in mind Sharif’s adverse critical medical condition, “he will be given four-week long, one-time permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.”

However, the PML-N has rejected the government’s conditional offer to travel abroad.