NAB obtains arrest warrants for Nawaz Sharif, Maryam, Safdar

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has obtained arrest warrants for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law captain retired Safdar after their convictions in the Avenfield reference case.

The NAB filed an application in the accountability on Saturday seeking the arrest warrants to apprehend the convicts. The anti-graft watchdog raised apprehensions that Safdar, who is currently in Pakistan, may flee the country.

NAB has sent several teams instructing them to arrest Safdar, and has also sought assistance from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police. They hoped that Safdar will be arrested within the next couple of days and will then sent to Adiala Jail.

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz were sentenced in absentia as they are currently in London. However, Safdar is believed to be absconding in KP as he was campaigning in Mansehra for the elections before he was disqualified.

It was earlier reported that Safdar may have already fled abroad. However, the Federal Investigation Agency has placed him on a travel blacklist, and airports across the country are keeping a close eye if he attempt to go abroad.

Safdar was not present in court when the sentence was announced on Friday. NAB authorities would have arrest him from the premises of the court after his conviction if he was present.

NAB authorities will arrest Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz upon arrival to the country. Nawaz Sharif has said he would return to the country and face jail, but only after the health of his wife who is in a critical condition improves.

It may mentioned that Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to ten years in prison in the Avenfield reference case, while Maryam was sentenced to seven years and Safdar was given one year in prison.