Daily Rapid hosts webinar with Senior Solicitors from the UK
Iqra Kashif from Daily Rapid news hosted a webinar with a panel of three senior solicitors from the UK including Chaudary Ansar, Asim Suleman and barrister Rashid Aslam.
After claiming for months that it will bring former prime minister Nawaz Sharif back to Pakistan from London, the government has decided to cancel his passport. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid made the sudden announcement during a press conference in the capital days after he said he would check when Mr Sharif’s passport would expire. Sources in his ministry revealed, however, that Mr Sharif’s passport is set to expire on Feb 16, so it appears that the interior ministry will not renew his passport if such an application is made.
What is the legal status of Nawaz Sharif now as he continues to reside in London?
“If Nawaz Sharif’s passport is not renewed his status will be considered illegal, Illegal is the person whose visa has expired. However, this will not affect his medical leaves. The visa can be extended through identity card verification too. If his citizenship is cancelled he may be referred to as stateless he can therefore apply for a leave of 5 years and if Nawaz Sharif does not want to take the leave he can apply for asylum which he may not choose to”, said Rashid Aslam while speaking to Daily Rapid.
The conversation moved over to Chaudhary Ansar.
“Imran Khan said he will talk to UK authorities to bring back Nawaz Sharif, I consider it an absurd statement. And if Nawaz Sharif becomes illegal in the UK, he holds the right to appeal and also use his judicial right and only when these rights expire, he could then be deported”, said Chaudhary Ansar.
“Cancellation is done when you have to stop someone from leaving the country. When someone is already outside and the government cancels their passport, It is sort of doing them a favour giving them a fresh excuse to evade the courts and remain in the UK. Instead of contemplating its next steps in the matter, such as beginning a conversation with the British authorities about an extradition treaty, the government has rushed to cancel Mr Sharif’s passport — which means even if he wishes, he cannot travel to Pakistan. Not only is this an own goal, but it is also a strange message for the government to give to the public about its intentions”, said Asim Suleman.
The PML-N supremo was 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. The Pakistan government maintains that Nawaz was permitted on the condition he would share details of his treatment, which he did not do.
