Capt Safdar's release on bail challenged by NAB

E-Paper | June 11, 2026

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the accountability court's order to release retired Capt Safdar on bail after the former prime minister's son-in-law was taken into NAB custody upon arrival in Pakistan from London on Oct 9.

Safdar was taken into custody at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad ─ where he was set to appear before the accountability court in connection with a NAB reference ─ following the issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants by the same court after he failed to appear for previous hearings despite repeated notices.

NAB asked the IHC to suspend the accountability court's order asking NAB to release Safdar on bail after he furnished surety bonds worth Rs5 million.

The NAB prosecutor general, making Safdar and the accountability court judge party in the petition, challenged the decision to release Maryam Nawaz's husband, requesting he be sent to Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail on judicial remand.

The NAB petition maintained that an order to release the suspect can only be passed by the Supreme Court, and that the accountability court should have sent Capt Safdar to jail.

The petition comes days after Sindh lawmakers lambasted the NAB's 'double standards' in the accountability body's dealing with members of the Sharif family and others.

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Panamagate

Pakistan

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Shahid

Nov 03, 2017 01:49pm

Nobody should have prompted. Had the ECLs and due process kicked in right away, this hide and seek would not have taken place.

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UZA Syed

Nov 03, 2017 04:05pm

Good! Let's hope that rule of law prevails over politics of expediency and sycophants.

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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA

Nov 03, 2017 04:05pm

It is heartening to know that NAB has woken up, and that too after a very loud and audible protests of few legislatures from Sind. The law should be applied even handedly to those who have squandered public money or have colluded with others to make hay when the sun is shining, without fear or prejudice and be visible to all. In this case it seems preferential treatment has been imparted and decision to provide relief to the accused has been sanctioned by the trial court which makes is a tardy and murky to all those expecting equality in application of law. I second the protest of legislatures from Sind, It is very sad that others in the so called opposition remains mum. Pakistan is on the threshold of change and we all should make zest to culminate it to a better end. I have no doubt that we can make it happen for the good of our coming generations.

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