Law enforcers will decide handcuffing of Nawaz upon return: PM Kakar

Islamabad: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar addressed questions today regarding the potential handcuffing of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif upon his scheduled return to Pakistan on October 21. In a candid interview on Samaa TV, PM Kakar underscored that the decision in this matter lies solely with the law enforcement agencies (LEAs), which will make the determination based on applicable legal provisions.

Nawaz Sharif, the supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was convicted in 2018 in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases. These cases are still sub-judice, and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif recently announced Nawaz Sharif’s impending return.

During the interview, PM Kakar clarified, “The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) will decide this matter in light of the law. If they think he (Nawaz) should be restrained, then they will follow that course, and vice versa.” He stressed that the discretion to make such decisions rests with the leadership of the LEAs and expressed his hope that they would act diligently in this regard.

Responding to concerns about the possibility of Nawaz Sharif’s arrest upon his return, PM Kakar reiterated that the decision lay solely with the legal and law enforcement agencies. He emphasized that the government would only intervene if it believed the law was being disregarded.

PM Kakar’s statement underscores the importance of adherence to legal procedures and the independence of law enforcement agencies in Pakistan. The nation eagerly awaits the LEAs’ decision regarding the handling of Nawaz Sharif’s return, with the legal and judicial processes set to take their course.