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Has Shahbaz Sharif Been Given NRO?

Shahbaz Sharif budget session

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The latest developments involving Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif show that he has apparently been given NRO.

On Wednesday, the federal government withdrew its petition challenging the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision to let Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) president fly abroad for treatment.

PML-N President and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif had been granted conditional permission to fly abroad between May 8 and July 5 for medical treatment by the high court.

Supreme court shows reservations

However, a two-member bench of SC comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah showed reservations on the high court’s decision, remarking that how it was taken was unprecedented.

The attorney general asked the court to dispose of the appeal as it was not needed.

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The court observed that how the relief was given to PML-N leader could not be made an example for anyone.

Justice Ahsan said that LHC didn’t give adequate time to attorney general to file a reply and asked if Shahbaz’s petition was fixed for hearing as per established protocols.

LHC registrar said that the objection on PML-N’s president plea was filed at 9:30 am while the hearing initiated at 11 am.

He added that it was decided that the decision on the objection would be addressed during the hearing.

Justice Ahsan commented that the government’s legal representative was only given half-hour to prepare, inquiring how many cases in the past were fixed for hearing at 12 pm on Friday.

The bench also observed that the LHC didn’t even ask about the list where Shahbaz’s name was placed.

Background

On May 7, the LHC had granted permission to the opposition leader to United Kingdom (UK).

However, he was barred at the airport by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as its name was on the blacklist.

The government had included Shahbaz’s name in the Exit Control List (ECL) on May 17.

The opposition leader in the national assembly had filed a contempt petition against the government and FIA for violating high court’s orders.

However, he also withdrew his petition against the government.

Government’s response

Information Minister Fawad Chauhdry contended that the government had withdrawn its appeal in the Supreme Court (SC) as it was no longer needed, citing that the opposition leader’s name was already on the ECL.

The latest developments involving Shahbaz Sharif show that there has been a backdoor settlement between the government and him.

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