Accountability Court cancels Ishaq Dar’s arrest warrants

ISLAMABAD     –    An Accountability Court (AC) on Friday canceled the arrest warrants of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and sought the comments from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a petition challenging confiscation of his property. The court instructed Ishaq Dar to file surety bonds worth one million rupees and also sought response from NAB on his request to grant exemption from appearance. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar appeared before AC-I Judge Muhammad Bashir who heard the case. The defence lawyer requested the court to cancel his perpetual arrest warrants as he had surrendered before it. On the query of the court, the NAB prosecutor said that the Bureau had issued the arrest warrants against the petitioner but the same were suspended by the court. He said the NAB had no objection about cancellation of the arrest warrants after the appearance of Ishaq Dar. The court, however, said that Ishaq Dar had to appear before it for indictment in the reference. Ishaq Dar also challenged confiscation of his property and said that the court had issued orders in this regard in his absence. Now this order should also be withdrawn after his surrender, he added. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday reiterated the government’s desire to further deepen bilateral trade and investment ties with the USA. He said this during a meeting with US Ambassador Donald Blome who called on him here yesterday. Dar briefed the Ambassador about the devastation caused by the recent floods in Pakistan. He further highlighted the economic agenda and policies of the government with an aim to bring about economic and fiscal stability. He said that attracting the US foreign investment in different sectors of Pakistan’s economy is the government’s top priority and is focusing on creating a business friendly environment for foreign investors. The US ambassador extended sympathy on the destruction caused by the floods and support of his govt. He further underscored that both the countries enjoy good relations and expressed confidence on the policies and programmes of the government. He extended his support to further promote bilateral economic, investment and trade relations between both the countries.