RIYADH, July 4: The Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah is awaiting instructions from Islamabad on matters relating to the issuing of passport to former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif. Talking to this correspondent, Pakistani Ambassador Admiral (retired) Abdul Aziz Mirza said that the application had been processed and they were now awaiting instructions from Islamabad. Mr Sharif’s application was submitted at the Jeddah Consulate by his son-in-law, Captain Safdar, on July 2. On Monday, according to sources, Captain Safdar had an extended meeting with the Pakistani consul general in Jeddah.

It is believed here that Mr Sharif would not have decided to apply for a passport at this stage without getting some positive signals from sections concerned. “After all they cannot be so naive to submit an application without getting some positive indication,” the sources said.

It may be mentioned here that when the elder Sharif passed away, there were speculations that Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif wanted to accompany the body to Pakistan, and on instructions from Islamabad, the Pakistani ambassador had called upon them at their residence — Suroor Palace in Jeddah. The ambassador had reportedly asked them to apply for passports, if they wished to travel to Pakistan with the body. The Sharifs reportedly refused to apply for passports, and said that if the government wanted them to accompany the body they should be allowed to travel without any conditions.

The sources pointed out that however when Shahbaz Sharif got the green signal to move out of the kingdom, he left within two days. “The same channel could have been in action again”, the sources said.