JournalismPakistan.com | Published 7 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
LAHORE – The Lahore High Court on Monday issued bailable arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for skipping proceedings in a case seeking action against him for disclosing the minutes of a high-profile security meeting to his party leader Nawaz Sharif.
The petition also seeks action against Sharif under treason charges for claiming that those involved in the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attack belonged to Pakistan.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi again issued notices to Sharif and Dawn journalist Cyril Almeida (pictured), who had interviewed the PML-N supremo.
The bench was annoyed when no one appeared before the court on behalf of the three respondents - Sharif, Abbasi and the reporter.
"The LHC issued bailable arrest warrants against Abbasi, directing the authorities concerned to send notices to Nawaz Sharif through superintendent of Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi and the Dawn reporter through Senior Superintendent Police Operations Islamabad," a court official said.
Justice Naqvi observed that Abbasi should have attended the court as he was present during the previous hearing on June 29.
Petitioner's lawyer told the court that Abbasi was in Lahore to run his campaign for the by-poll on National Assembly seat NA-124 but he avoided the court hearing.
The petitioner said Sharif, who was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July 2017 and subsequently jailed for 10 years in last July in Avenfield corruption case, in the interview to Almeida in May last made the remarks that those involved in the Mumbai attack case actually belonged to Pakistan thus committed treason.
The petitioner said the "anti-state" statement of Sharif - a three-time prime minister - could be used against Pakistan by its enemies.
She said a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) was held to discuss the 'misleading' statement of the disqualified premier and later the then Prime Minister Abbasi met Sharif and conveyed to him the concerns of the military leadership on his statement.
"The act of Abbasi was also a clear violation of his oath as he was bound not to allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct," she said.
The court adjourned the hearing till September 24. - Agencies/Photo: Twitter (@cyalm)
November 11, 2025: JournalismPakistan announces 'Once Upon a Newsroom', a storytelling series celebrating Pakistanâs newsroom heritage, beginning with The Muslim, the now-defunct independent daily from Islamabad.
November 09, 2025: Pakistanâs media reels under layoffs, censorship, and union silence as journalists face attacks, fake news, and closures, deepening a nationwide media crisis.
November 08, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches its new tagline, Linking Journalism Worldwide, reflecting global expansion beyond Pakistan with Asia, World, and Middle East coverage.
November 08, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi passes away in Shorkot after a long illness. Friends remember his humor, humility, and lifelong dedication to journalism.
November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JPâs editorial SOPsâverification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage review.
November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistanâs Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.
November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tararâs job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.
November 11, 2025 BBC reels from leadership resignations and Trumpâs $1B lawsuit over an edited speech as outgoing chief Tim Davie rallies journalists to defend press freedom.
November 11, 2025 Report finds 44 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza displacement tents, highlighting threats to media freedom and independent reporting since October 2023.
November 11, 2025 British journalist Sami Hamdi was released from US ICE detention after visa revocation, highlighting risks to cross-border journalism and press freedom.
November 11, 2025 IJAS condemns rising attacks and threats against journalists in Serbia and calls for urgent investigations, police accountability, and stronger protection for media freedom.
November 10, 2025 In Europe, 32 of 51 journalist killings remain unresolved, exposing a crisis of impunity and threatening media freedom across the continent.