There was no need to declare Nawaz 'proclaimed offender': Asad Umar

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar has said that former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif did not need to be declared a proclaimed offender. Earlier in the day, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared Nawaz a proclaimed offender in Al-Azizia and Avenfield references.

Speaking to Dunya News program ‘Nuqta-e-Nazar’, the Federal Minister for Planning said that for the first time in the history of the country, a convicted prisoner was sent abroad. The court had asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to guarantee Nawaz Sharif’s well being and the government had asked for Rs 7 billion as bail money.

The Minister said that everyone knows how the decision to send him abroad was taken. Now, the government is working in accordance with the law to bring Nawaz back to Pakistan, he added.

Talking about the coronavirus, Asad Umar said that large rallies and gatherings were banned mid-November but the number of cases has increased drastically after PDM’s rallies in Gujranwala, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.

The Federal Minister further said that opposition leaders not being threatened by coronavirus is a cause for great concern. Their attitude towards the virus is inappropriate. According to NCOC decisions, which the courts also endorsed, gatherings of more than 300 people are not allowed, he said.

Asad Umar said that people are not cooperating in dealing with the second wave of coronavirus, they do not realize the threat that it poses. During the first wave, political, social and religious leaders were on the same page but this is no longer the case. He said that the government’s position however remains unchanged, it is still not in favor of a complete lockdown, unlike the opposition.

Talking about the ongoing vaccine development and trials, he said that the cabinet gave its approval for vaccine procurement yesterday. The vaccine will be available between January and March next year, going to health workers first in the initial phase.