SHC adjourns hearing of PTI’s high treason case against Nawaz

Karachi: The Sindh High Court on Thursday directed the counsel of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf’s leader seeking a high treason case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif over his statement about the Mumbai attacks, to argue on the maintainability of the petition.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh had filed a petition in the SHC seeking directions for registration of a high treason case against the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for his reported interview about the involvement of militant organizations in the Mumbai attacks. The petitioner submitted that the former premier’s interview damaged the country reputation internationally, paved way for foreign rivalry, and can potentially lead to sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.

He submitted that the former PM’s statement implies that he is propagating to conspire against the state to retaliate against his lifetime disqualification from holding any public office and possible conviction in the trial. He submitted that Nawaz Sharif has committed treason by giving such a statement on the Mumbai attacks, and therefore, a case should be registered against him. Sheikh also pleaded placing the name of the PML-N chief on the Exit Control List, and ordering the interior ministry to file a complaint against the former premier. Sheikh also asked for directing the PEMRA to stop airing Nawaz’s speeches on the television.

The SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro asked the counsel to satisfy the court if the petition is maintainable. Referring to the expression of concern by the National Security Council, the counsel for the PTI leader sought time to argue on the petition. The court adjourned the hearing till May 25.