Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in London for more than one year due to medical reasons, will be without a passport now after it expires tonight.
Meanwhile, the interior minister in a presser said that the former premier’s passport will not be renewed and that the government could issue an emergency travel document on his request for returning back to the country.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has tried all means to bring Nawaz back but without any success. PM Imran had announced that he would go to the UK himself to bring Nawaz back. His statement was followed by Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed saying that only Allah can bring Nawaz Sharif back. But eventually, the government decided that it won’t renew the passport of the ex-PM in an attempt to force his hand.
Another reason that Nawaz cannot approach the authorities for the renewal of his passport is being on the Exit Control List. As per the law, a person whose name is on the no-fly list cannot apply for the renewal of his passport. However, Nawaz Sharif can return to the country anytime, as reiterated by Sheikh Rasheed.
So what options do Nawaz have? Will he take asylum in the UK or come back voluntarily? Or the UK government will accept Pakistan’s request for his extradition?
At present, it is all good for Nawaz.
The ex-PM has a ten-year visa and he doesn’t need permission to stay in the UK. But just in case, a person can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in case of medical treatment. For the British government, the only point of concern is legalities at the time of entry to the country, said a report in Dawn.
In addition to the medical reasons, the former premier has two more options: dependency law and investment option.
In the UK, dependency law applies to people over 65 and Nawaz Sharif is 71. The ex-PM can invoke the law if needs be. Given his age and frail health, the dependency law can be invoked and Nawaz can stay in the UK as a dependent of Hassan Nawaz — an established businessman.
And the third option is business plans. With a certain amount of investment, anyone can stay in the UK for a certain period of time.
So Nawaz Sharif, even though his passport is expired, can stay in London for a comfortable amount of time. Just like Dar, whose passport was not renewed but he was allowed to stay in the UK because he’s not on the negative list of any security agency and there is no adverse report against him.
