Maryam Nawaz withdraws plea seeking passport for Umrah

• LHC dismisses Maryam Nawaz's plea after her lawyer took it back on her behalf.
• Maryam will not perform Umrah as her passport couldn't be released.
• Shehbaz Sharif to leave for Saudi Arabia trip tomorrow.

LAHORE: PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday withdrew her plea seeking her passport for travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

The development came during the hearing of the plea at Lahore High Court. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ali Baqar and Justice Sardar Ahmed Naeem, was hearing the plea.

At the outset of the hearing, Maryam's lawyer Advocate Amjad Pervaiz said that his client has asked him to take the plea back.

At this, the court dismissed the plea.

A fourth bench of LHC had been formed to hear Maryam's plea after members of three benches excused from hearing the case.

PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on a trip to Saudi Arabia tomorrow (Thursday). During the visit, the premier will perform Umrah (Islamic pilgrimage) on the sidelines of the visit.

Read more: How many people will accompany PM Shehbaz Sharif on his visit to Saudi Arabia?

Maryam had to accompany the prime minister along with other members of the delegation on the trip. However, she will not travel to Saudi Arabia as her passport has not been released.

Names of PM Shehbaz, Nawaz removed from no-fly list

The newly elected government removed the names of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz from the Exit Control List (ECL) under a new policy, Geo News reported, citing well-placed sources.