Pak SC orders Sharif Govt. to block CNICs, freeze bank accounts of absconders

Pakistan's Supreme Court has directed the federal interior ministry, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the provincial home authorities to block computerised national identity cards (CNICs) of all absconders to secure their custody.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Mushir Alam, issued the direction while hearing a Sindh government appeal that challenged the Sindh High Court's order to release an accused person after setting aside his conviction, reports the Dawn.

The court also directed them to get the bank accounts of the absconding accused persons frozen at the earliest and asked the attorney general and advocate general to submit compliance reports.

The apex court observed that the absconders were making full-throated speeches about respecting the judiciary, but they were not appearing before the courts to face cases.

The judges took serious exception to the state of affairs in which the law enforcement and prosecuting agencies were handling matters relating to the arrest of the absconders.