Court issues non-bailable warrants against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar

• Published date: 15 November 2017
• Publication title: Regional Times

The accountability court hearing the corruption case against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar issued non-bailable warrants after the minister failed to appear in court today.

The court also issued a notice to Dar's guarantor for failing to ensure the presence of the minister.

Earlier, as the hearing began, Judge Mohammad Bashir inquired from Dar's guarantor, Ahmad Ali Qudoosi, when the minister will appear in court.

Qudoosi replied that Dar, presently in London for heart treatment, will fully recover in three to six weeks.

The finance minister, who skipped the previous three hearings on account of medical treatment, is accused by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income.

The court then briefly adjourned proceedings as the NAB investigation officer had not appeared in court.

Later, as the hearing resumed, the court issued non-bailable warrants for Dar's arrest.

The hearing was then adjourned until November 21.

At the last hearing, Dar's secondary counsel, Ayesha Hamid, requested the court to grant her client exemption from appearance on medical grounds and continue with the case by approving the appointment of a legal representative (pleader).

However, Judge Mohammad Bashir dismissed the request and ordered the continuation of the bailable warrants.

He also ordered Dar's guarantor to ensure the minister's presence at the next hearing or be prepared to have the Rs5 million surety bond confiscated.

At the Nov 2 hearing, the accountability court approved NAB's request to freeze Dar's assets.

All accounts belonging to Dar, except those operated by accountant general revenue, were to be frozen after the court order.

The bureau froze the assets after its chairman ordered to do so on October 18 but it needed the...