Pakistans Supreme Court on Thursday issued issued notices to the federal and provincial governments to appear before it on August 16, when it hears petitions filed for the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif.
Islamabad, Aug.9 : Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday issued issued notices to the federal and provincial governments to appear before it on August 16, when it hears petitions filed for the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif.
Chief Justice Mr. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and Justice M Javed Buttar today heard the petitions.
The counsel of Sharif brothers Fakharuddin G Ibrahim in his arguments referred to Articles 15, 17 and 109 of the Constitution and said that his clients are citizens of Pakistan and had every right to return their home country. He also presented reference of a previous court judgment about Shahbaz Sharif.
The apex court thereafter issued notices to the federal and provincial governments and adjourned the hearing till August 16.
Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif filed separate constitutional petitions in the Supreme Court earlier this week, praying that they be allowed to return to Pakistan and participate in the forthcoming general elections.
PML-N Central Working Committee member Khwaja Muhammad Asif, MNA, filed the petitions under Article 184(3) of the Pakistan Constitution, and asked the apex court to stop the federal and provincial governments from obstructing, hampering or resisting the return of the petitioners and their families.
The petitioner urged to the apex court to declare that Nawaz Sharif and members of his family, including his brother Shahbaz Sharif, have the inalienable, and unqualified fundamental right to remain in Pakistan and participate and contest in the forthcoming general elections.
The petition stated that the government's claim that there is a 'deal' under which Sharif and his family were forced into exile, was vehemently denied by Sharif.
Even after seven long years, no document has ever been produced by the respondents evidencing any so-called deal that would even otherwise be unconstitutional and illegal, The News quoted the petition, as saying.
ANI