Nawaz Sharif's Passport to be cancelled; Pak PM Imran Khan accused for ex-FM Asif's arrest

A day after Pakistan's former Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was arrested, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz leader on Wednesday said that he is "100% sure" that Prime Minister Imran Khan is behind his arrest. Speaking to reporters outside an accountability court in Islamabad, he added that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is hell-bent to weaken Nawaz Sharif.

'This is what we are all being told'

"re have been many attempts to break PML-N and weaken its supremo Nawaz Sharif over last two and a half years,"  News International quoted Asif as saying. Pakistani newspaper quoted PML-N leader as saying that he was "100% sure" that Prime Minister Imran Khan was behind his arrest.

Following Asit's arrest, Maryam Nawaz addressed reporters and said that Khawaja Asif had been told all cases against him would be written off if he stood against Nawaz Sharif. When a reporter asked Khawaja Asif to elaborate on Maryam's statement, lawmaker said, "This is what we are all being told."

"I was given a charge sheet that assets increased but NAB has t conducted any investigation in matter. I have been facing this case for over two years, first in Rawalpindi n in Lahore," he said. 

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On Tuesday Khawaja Asif was arrested by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Islamabad pertaining to acquiring assets beyond means of income. Asif held an iqama (work permit) from 2004 to 2008, adding that he earned a total of Rs 136 million for his services as a consultant legal adviser, Nawazish Ali, bureau's spokesperson said. Citing NAB, Dawn reported that evidence shows Asif established Kent Housing Society, which has been operating illegally.

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Nawaz Sharif's Passport to be cancelled

Earlier on Wednesday, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Pakistan's Interior Minister anunced that PML-N supremo and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's passport will be cancelled on February 16. Sharif was declared a proclaimed offender in two cases, Avenfield properties, and Al-Azizia by Islamabad High Court after he failed to appear before court.

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Pakistan government has already approached United Kingdom authorities to extradite Nawaz Sharif. PML-N founder, who is currently residing in London for medical treatment, had been granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds in October 2019 and a month later he was allowed to travel abroad for treatment for four weeks.

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(With ANI inputs)