ISLAMABAD \u2013 The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition asking the court to stop the expected issuance of a diplomatic passport to PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.<\/p>\n
Advocate Naeem Haider moved the court, referring to media reports that said Nawaz was being issued a diplomatic passport on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.<\/p>\n
The petitioner claimed that the instructions for the issuance of the diplomatic passport were given to the interior and foreign affairs secretaries.<\/p>\n
The petitioner said that Nawaz Sharif was a court absconder and convicted by NAB on corruption charges. \u201dIt is violative of law, a mockery of the justice system and disgrace to the nation if a diplomatic passport is issued to a convict,\u201d the petitioner added.<\/p>\n
The IHC noted that the petitioner could not show any order, direction or notification issued by the federal government to substantiate his claim.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is noted that no evidentiary value is attached to the press reports and no reliance can be placed on it when a person claims a legal right on its basis. It is settled law that courts do not decide cases on the basis of press reports,\u201d the IHC chief justice observed.<\/p>\n
The chief justice disposed of the petition after slapping a Rs5,000 fine on the petitioner on account of counsels engaged during the hearing at state expense.<\/p>\n