UK says Nawaz Sharif’s arrest warrants have no legal bearing

LONDON: The British government has said it cannot take action against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on the basis of non-bailable arrest warrants served by the Pakistan High Commission in London.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Pakistan and Afghan Department said in response to a letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson by Labour MP Stephen Timms, on behalf of a Pakistani constituent.

In a letter, the FCO’s Pakistan section said: “We are aware that Mr Sharif is in the UK. The UK law sets out clearly and publicly what the Government can and cannot do on immigrations matters, we act strictly in accordance with the rules in all sides.

“Mr Sharif’s status under Pakistani laws is a matter for the Pakistan government and legal system. As such, the non-bailable arrest warrants which have been served by the Pakistan High Commission in London have no legal bearing on his current status in the UK. The UK police cannot arrest someone in the UK on the basis of non-UK court orders.”

The letter added: “Pakistan and Britain do not have an extradition treaty. However, extraditions are still possible and have taken place. If any extradition request were to be submitted through the proper channels it would be considered in line with the UK laws.”

A source at Prime Minister’s Office said that it received a letter from Stephen Timms MP and forwarded it to the FCO to look into. The source said the FCO was the right forum to deal with such matters.

Responding to a question, Stephen Timms MP said: “I wrote to the Prime Minister about this, on behalf of a constituent, to ask what the Government’s approach was.” Stephen Timms had written to 10 Downing Street on December 6, 2020 asking the Prime Minister if any arrangements were made to send back Nawaz Sharif.

On December 2, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had declared Nawaz Sharif a proclaimed offender in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references.