News @ 3 - 24th April 2018

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former finance minister Ishaq Dar, who is said to be undergoing treatment abroad, to appear in court on May 8.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, who was heading a three-judge bench of the apex court, observed that the case will not proceed further until the PML-N leader appears in court.

If he doesn’t appear, then the court will hand down a decision it would deem fit, warned the chief justice.

He remarked that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met a fugitive during a recent visit to London. It appears the PM is not familiar with the law, he added.

Earlier, Justice Nisar rejected a medical certificate of the PML-N leader, directing his lawyer to inform it about his client’s return until 8:00 pm today.

He said the minister, who had been declared a proclaimed offender over his perpetual absence from the trial court hearing the assets case against him, will be granted protective bail if he returns.

At the start of hearing, the chief justice asked, “Where is Ishaq Dar? Have not you read our previous order?”