The Islamabad High Court on Thursday prohibited the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from arresting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s son Suleman Shehbaz on his return to Pakistan on Saturday.
Suleman, who has been living in London since 2018, is expected to return to Pakistan on Saturday after four years of self-exile. He went to London after several cases were registered against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prior to the 2018 general elections.
Suleman had on Wednesday filed a plea with the IHC seeking protective bail, and the plea was taken up for hearing today (Thursday).
During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq directed the applicant to surrender before the court by December 13, and ordered the FIA to refrain from arresting him until then. Justice Farooq also said it was necessary for an applicant to be present in the court while seeking protective bail.
Suleman’s counsel Amjad Pervez informed the court his client was currently in Saudi Arabia on Sunday (Dec 11). “He wants to appear before the relevant authorities,” he added, saying that his client would be returning on Saturday.
The court then approved the protective bail and directed Suleman Shehbaz to appear before it by Dec 13.
