ISLAMABAD: The Nat­ional Database and Regis­tration Authority (Nadra) has blocked the Compu­terised National Identity Card (CNIC) of Shahbaz Gill — a former aide to ex-PM Imran Khan — after a local court declared him a ‘proclaimed offender’ in the case of inciting mutiny in the armed forces.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Tahir Abbas Sipra also initiated the process to attach Mr Gill’s properties and directed the deputy commissioners Islamabad and Faisalabad to submit the report related to his movable and immovable properties in both the cities.

A proclamation has been displayed outside the cou­rt, asking Mr Gill to appear in person at the next hearing.

As per a police report, a similar proclamation has also been displayed outside Mr Gill’s residence. The court would take up this matter again on July 31.

In a report submitted to the court, Nadra stated that the authority has blocked Mr Gill’s CNIC.

Earlier, during the hearing of the case, Mr Gill’s co­­unsel submitted an app­lication seeking exemp­­­­tion from attendance due to an ailment.

He also requested that Mr Gill’s arrest warrants be cancelled and his atten­dance marked through a video link.

The court noted that proceedings to declare an ac­­c­used as a proclaimed offen­der could not be reversed unless the accused would themselves surrender.

The court order stated that Mr Gill went abroad with the permission of the Lahore High Court (LHC) for a limited period after giving an undertaking for his return.

Mr Gill was arrested in this case on Aug 9 last year, following his controversial remarks allegedly about the army during an ARY News bulletin.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2023