MM News

ISLAMABAD: Interior minister Sheikh Rashid informed has said that the federal government had decided to cancel PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s passport on February 16.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, Sheikh Rasheed said, “It seems Nawaz has no faith in his own country and that is the reason he took iqama (work permit) in the first place”.

He further explained once a country withdraws or cancels its passport it says that this person is no longer a valid document holder. The UK doesn’t have an extradition treaty with Pakistan however once his passport is cancelled, it makes Pakistan’s petition for Nawaz’s deportation stronger, he mentioned.

In October 2019, Nawaz Sharif was granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds after which he was allowed to travel abroad for treatment for four weeks. The government maintains that Nawaz was permitted on condition he would share details of treatment which he didn’t do.

Later, Islamabad High Court declared the PML-N founder proclaimed offender after he failed to appear in the court despite repeated summons.

Rashid said that if the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to take part in the Senate elections then it will also be participating in the by-polls.

His remarks came as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) surprised everyone, a day earlier, with the announcement of contesting the upcoming Senate elections, while endorsing at the same time almost all decisions of the PDM, including resigning from assemblies.

The interior minister said the door for dialogues was open as he termed the opposition members ‘thieves’, out to get their stealing pardoned. Discussing CDA’s issues, the interior minister announced regularising all contractual employees of the development authority.

He also said that there was a possibility of terrorist attacks in Islamabad hence; the Eagle Squad was being deployed in the federal capital. “Only three check-posts in Islamabad will remain functional while the rest will be closed,” Rashid added.