Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stated on Wednesday that the decision to handcuff PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif upon his return to the country is within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The LEAs will make the decision based on the applicable legal provisions.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif recently announced that his brother would return to Pakistan on October 21. Nawaz Sharif was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018, and these cases are still ongoing.
Nawaz Sharif left the country in November 2019 on medical grounds following his conviction but never returned. Approximately 20 days after the Islamabad High Court granted him temporary relief on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia case, he departed.
In February 2020, the former government declared him an absconder, and later that same year, an accountability court declared him a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference.
When asked about the possibility of the caretaker government causing any issues for Nawaz Sharif upon his return, Shehbaz Sharif had responded that Nawaz Sharif would face the law. The PML-N president reiterated this stance during an interview in London.
During an interview on the Samaa TV show Nadeem Malik Live, PM Kakar stated that the LEAs would decide whether Nawaz Sharif should be handcuffed upon his return, based on the law. He emphasized that this decision lies with the leadership of the LEAs and expressed hope that they would carry out their duties to the best of their ability.
When questioned about the growing concerns regarding Nawaz Sharif’s possible arrest, PM Kakar made it clear that he does not consider it a personal challenge. He reiterated that the decision to detain or grant freedom of movement to the PML-N leader would be made by the leadership of the judicial process and law enforcement.
PM Kakar emphasized that the government would intervene if it observed any violation of the law by the two entities.
Speaking about the treatment of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was brought to court in handcuffs, PM Kakar stated that it needed to be determined whether the law permits the use of handcuffs. He stated that if the law allows it, then it is correct, and vice versa.
Regarding the recent development of President Dr. Arif Alvi proposing a date for elections, PM Kakar stated that the primary responsibility for setting the election date is with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He mentioned that the ECP will assess and deliberate on the proposed date and the necessary conditions for conducting free and fair polls. The PM believes that the ECP will soon announce the date after coming to a conclusion on the appropriate day and time for the elections.
PM Kakar further emphasized that if the delimitation process proceeds smoothly, any day between the middle and end of January could be chosen as the election date. He assured that the caretaker government is fully prepared to support the electoral process and that their preparations are almost complete.