Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called the government’s move to write a letter to British authorities for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s extradition as an “illogical and unethical step”.
In a statement, Shehbaz said the government had no legal authority to write any such letter. “This reflects [government’s] criminal intent and its nefarious designs,” he maintained.
The Islamabad High Court, he said, had given Nawaz an eight-week bail and directed him to approach Punjab government for an extension if needed. However, the application for an extension in bail has been rejected by the provincial government, said the opposition leader. “But we reserve the right to approach the IHC against the government’s action as directed by the court in its order,” he maintained.
Shehbaz said the government’s move was an open contravention of court orders and contempt of court. “[PM] Imran Khan is stooping to such lows in personal enmity and to politically victimise his opponent… these actions are resulting in making Pakistan a laughing stock,” he remarked.
He went as far as claiming that the attempt to create hurdles in Nawaz’s medical treatment in London was tantamount to his murder. “This failed government is playing with Nawaz Sharif’s health to avert public backlash,” he added.
“These illegal steps based on the government’s political enmity and vendetta will not dampen our spirits… we will use the basic human right of living in the light of law and court orders,” he maintained.
In a separate statement, PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that any attempt by the government to get Nawaz Sharif deported from Britain will be of no use.
He said that Nawaz had previously returned to the country along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and the government had much more pressing concerns to deal with instead of his deportation.
He also said that Nawaz Sharif has left the country at the behest of the court for medical treatment in London and only the court can decide about his return.
