LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to appear before it in a petition seeking registration of a high treason case against him over his controversial statement on the Mumbai attacks.
A bench of the LHC directed the former premier to turn up on October 8.
It issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of journalist Cyril Almeida and ordered the authorities concerned to place his name on the Exit Control List (ECL).
The bench directed former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who was in attendance in the court, to file an application for exemption from personal appearance before it.
Earlier this year, deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif sparked a controversy when he made a statement about the Mumbai attacks in an interview to Cyril Almeida.
A citizen, Amina Malik through Advocate Azhar Siddique approached the court, seeking registration of a treason case against Nawaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the journalist for trying to defame state institutions.
She contended Sharif attempted to discredit state institutions while issuing remarks about the Mumbai attacks during an interview to English daily’s reporter Cyril Almeida.
The petitioner stated that after a National Security Council meeting held to discuss the controversial statement, Abbasi met the PML-N supreme leader and disclosed the minutes of the meeting to him which was a clear violation of his oath of office.
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