Accountability Court issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Nawaz Sharif

Former PM Nawaz Sharif (Photo Source: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The Accountability Court (AC) in Islamabad has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Toshikhana National Stockpiling case.

Earlier on May 15, the court had summoned former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani and former president Asif Ali Zardari for today's hearing on the issue of national submission.

Gilani and accused Abid Ghani appeared in court while Nawaz and Zardari did not.

An application for exemption from appearing was filed by the former president which was granted by the accountability court. However, nobody else from the party showed up on his behalf in court.

During the hearing, Deputy Prosecutor General of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sardar Muzaffar requested the court to send Gilani and Ghani on judicial remand.

He also requested that non-bailable arrest warrants be issued against the accused Nawaz and he should be arrested and produced in court.

Issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant for the former prime minister, the court directed Zardari to ensure his presence at the next hearing on June 11.

Earlier in January, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had approved the filing of references against former heads of state for harming the national exchequer by accepting gifts from the national exchequer and not depositing them in the treasury.

The Executive Board Meeting (EBM), chaired by Chairman NAB (Retd) Justice Javed Iqbal, has registered cases against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani and former President Asif Ali Zardari for possessing state-owned valuables and vehicles.

Gifts are regularly exchanged between heads of state or officials holding constitutional positions during state visits. According to Gift Depository rules, these gifts are state property unless sold at an open auction.

Under the rules, officials are allowed to keep gifts worth less than 10,000.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari is accused of setting a record by taking one-third of the expensive gifts presented to all former presidents and prime ministers within a year of taking office.