NAB petitions IHC against Capt (retd) Safdar's bail in corruption case

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) challenged on Friday the accountability court's order granting bail to MNA Capt (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield properties case. 

NAB, submitting a petition in the Islamabad High Court, has contended that the bail order be suspended and Safdar, the son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, be sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand as his non-bailable arrest warrants had been issued in the 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.

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. 

Bailable arrest warrants issued for Nawaz's children, son-in-law

The accountability court has summoned the Sharif children on October 2 and directed them to submit sureties worth Rs1 million each

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.

The Islamabad High Court is yet to take up NAB's plea seeking cancellation of his bail.