Captain Safdar, Maryam Nawaz release on bail

Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd) was granted bail by the court after being ordered a security deposit of Rs. 50 lacs. He was also instructed to take the permission of the court before leaving the country.

Safdar’s reference copies against him were provided to him. The medical reports were also presented before the court, Samaa News reported.  Judge Mohammad Bashir also provided a copy of the reference spread over 53 volumes to Maryam Nawaz and ordered a surety bond of 50 lacs which was submitted by PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

Safdar on his way to court spoke to the media and said that the family has never violated the constitution.  Maryam Nawaz also spoke to the media and said, “We are not going to be discouraged by these arrests, this will soon end.  I know that this case against me at NAB has been made up only because I am Nawaz Sharif’s daughter. But we are still appearing before the courts despite this revengeful accountability.”

Safdar was taken into custody by the National Accountability Bureau on the early morning hours of Monday. He was arrested from Benazir International Airport on his arrival from London with wife Maryam Nawaz.

The special six-member team of NAB waited outside the airport and rounded Safdar outside Rawal lounge.  Maryam Nawaz left for Punjab house in her car amid cheers and slogans of support from the many workers who had gathered there. Maryam Aurengzeb, Asif Kirmani and former Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid were also present to receive them. The workers protested by standing in front of the vehicle carrying Safdar to prevent them from arresting him.

NAB had informed Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of National Assembly of their decision to arrest Safdar. The arrested happened as Safdar had ignored the courts summons repeatedly.

After consultation with the NAB chairman, Safdar was shifted to a special cell at NAB headquarters in Islamabad. Safdar with Maryam Nawaz, were to present themselves to court on Monday morning against a reference file against the Sharif family.