Arrest warrant against Sharif for failing to appear in court in corruption case

 An accountability court in Pakistan has issued an arrest warrant against embattled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London for medical treatment, for failing to appear before it in a corruption case that accused him of receiving luxury vehicles and gifts from national treasury.

court in Islamabad on Friday heard case against Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Yusuf Raza Gilani for allegedly receiving luxury vehicles and or gifts presented by foreign dignitaries, which were property of state.

country's anti-graft body National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed case on March 2 and Judge Syed Asghar Ali on May 15 issued summons for three leaders as well or accused -- Khawaja Anwar Majeed and Abdul Ghani Majeed of Omni Group.

Gillani and Ghani appeared before court whereas Sharif and Zardari did t.

An application for exemption from appearance was filed by former president which was granted by accountability court. However, one appeared on behalf of deposed prime minister, so judge issued warrants for his arrest.

court directed all accused, including Sharif and Zardari, to appear in court for next hearing on June 11.

Earlier in January, NAB had approved filing of cases against former heads of state for inflicting losses to national exchequer by taking gifts from national treasury and t depositing m in gift depository (Toshakhana).

NAB approved filing cases against former premiers Sharif and Gilani and ex-president Zardari for keeping government-owned valuables and vehicles in ir possession.

NAB has alleged that Sharif and Zardari got gifted cars transferred to m by paying 15 per cent of price, while Gilani as premier facilitated m by dishonestly and illegally relaxing procedure for acceptance and disposal of gifts and thus caused a loss to national exchequer.

Gifts are routinely exchanged between heads of states or officers holding constitutional positions. According to gift depository rules, se gifts remain property of state unless sold at an open auction.

Several corruption cases have been launched by government of Prime Minister Imran Khan against 70-year-old supremo of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz since his ouster from office by Supreme Court in July 2017 in Panama Papers case.

Sharif in vember last had left for London after Lahore High Court granted him a four-week permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment.

He had given an undertaking to Lahore High Court to return to Pakistan citing his record to face process of law and justice within four weeks or as soon as he is declared healthy and fit to travel by doctors.

Sharif was also given bail in Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was serving seven-year imprisonment in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail.