ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has summoned Ishaq Dar, adding to the embattled former finance minister’s legal challenges.
Dar, who has been in London since October 2017 for medical treatment, was re-elected as a senator on March 3 in absentia. He could not take the oath as a member of the Upper House since he is in the UK.
Nawazish Pirzada, leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, has challenged Dar’s candidature at the Supreme Court, saying he is a declared absconder and so ineligible to contest the Senate election.
Dar’s lawyer Salam Akram Raja said his client is in London because of health issues, but the court summoned Dar nonetheless.
Earlier, Dar told the accountability court via a letter that his doctors had advised him to avoid international travel.
Islamabad’s accountability court in November 2017 issued non-bailable arrest warrants for him because of his repeated failure to appear before the court. On Nov. 21, it declared him a “proclaimed absconder.” Dar is accused of having assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Pakistan Supreme Court summons Ishaq Dar
Pakistan Supreme Court summons Ishaq Dar
- Former finance minister, in London for medical treatment, faces corruption allegations.
- Dar was declared a “proclaimed absconder” in November 2017 by Islamabad’s accountability court.
Pakistan PM speaks to UAE president, calls for enhanced cooperation
- Shehbaz Sharif lauds UAE’s economic support in challenging times
- Both leaders discuss a range of issues, agree to stay in close contact
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday praised the United Arab Emirates for what he described as steadfast financial and political support during Islamabad’s recent economic crisis, as both sides signaled plans to deepen bilateral cooperation.
In a statement issued after Sharif spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to stay in close contact.
“The Prime Minister lauded the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan, that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges,” the statement said, adding the two leaders “reaffirmed their shared desire to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.”
The UAE, along with other friendly nations in the region, provided critical financial assistance to the South Asian country during a balance-of-payments crisis that strained Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and pressured its currency. Islamabad subsequently secured an International Monetary Fund program as part of broader stabilization efforts.
Sharif, in a post on X, described the exchange as positive.
“We fondly recalled our recent meetings and reaffirmed our shared resolve to further strengthen the historic, fraternal ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” he wrote.
Millions of Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, forming one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf state.
Remittances from the UAE rank among Pakistan’s top sources of foreign currency inflows and play a significant role in supporting the country’s external accounts.
UAE-based companies are also investing in Pakistan, helping Islamabad develop its seaports to facilitate regional trade.
