ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a bar on issuance of a diplomatic passport to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah declared the petition not maintainable and fined lawyer of Rs5,000 for filing the frivolous petition to the court. Earlier, IHC Chief Justice had reserved the judgement on the maintainability of the petition.

During his arguments, petitioner’s lawyer said that a convict had been issued diplomatic passport. On which, the CJ Minallah remarked to show him the order issued by the federal government in this regard. The lawyer said if the government issued passport to a proclaimed offender, then it called into question the court’s honour.

Justice Minallah wondered why this court would issue direction without any reason. He said the court could not take decisions on mere conjectures. “This court is respected and known for its decisions,” he added.

The lawyer said the word of issuing diplomatic passport by federal government had spread throughout the country. He requested the court to give him some time so that he could obtain copy of that order. The chief justice said that the proclaimed offender would be dealt with as per the law. He remarked that rights of a PO were not restored unless he surrendered.