Bail cancellation case: IHC summons Capt (retd) Safdar on Dec 14

Capt (retd) Safdar being produced in the accountability court on October 9. Photo: Geo News ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law, Capt (retd) Safdar, has been summoned by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on December 14. A two-member IHC bench is hearing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)'s plea seeking the dismissal of bail granted to Safdar, a member of the National Assembly, by the accountability court hearing corruption cases against the Sharif family. As the hearing went under way today, NAB's deputy prosecutor general informed the bench that the accountability court issued on October 2 non-bailable warrants for Safdar, after which he was arrested and produced in court on October 9. The NAB official contended that the accountability court did not have the authority to release Safdar on bail, and pleaded that the court's order rejecting their request to send him to Adiala Jail be rescinded. IHC seeks detailed court order on Capt (retd) Safdar's release on bail NAB has challenged accountability court's order accepting Safdar's bail and ordered his release from NAB custody Justice Aamer Farooq, who heads the bench, remarked that Safdar will have to be summoned to court since NAB seeks the cancellation of his bail. The IHC then summoned the former premier's son-in-law on December 14 and adjourned the hearing. On November 3, NAB challenged the accountability court's order granting bail to Safdar in the Avenfield properties case. Safdar was taken into custody by NAB officials after he and his wife Maryam arrived in Islamabad from London to attend the corruption hearing against them on October 9. NAB petitions IHC against Capt (retd) Safdar's bail in corruption case Safdar was granted bail after accountability court had issued non-bailable warrants for his arrest in Avenfield properties case The court had issued non-bailable warrants against him after he had been a no-show in the previous three hearings of the case, filed by NAB in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 judgment in the Panama Papers case. On October 9, the court approved Maryam and Safdar's bail and ordered them to submit surety bonds worth Rs5 million each. Safdar, who was produced in court by NAB officials after spending the night in custody, was also directed to take the court's permission before leaving the country from now on.