Rental Power case: SC orders to arrest PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has issued orders to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in Rental Power case, Geo News reported.

The SC directed the authorities concerned to arrest 16 accused including the prime minister after presenting challan within 24 hours.

"The chief justice ordered that all concerned, regardless of their rank, who have been booked in the case be arrested and if someone leaves the country, then chairman of NAB (anti-corruption watchdog) will be held responsible along with his investigating team," lawyer Aamir Abbas told AFP.

"The sixteen include Raja Ashraf," said Abbas, referring to Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

Following the Supreme Court orders, sources informed Geo News correspondent Asif Bhatti that the prime minister has summoned a meeting of close ministers for consultations. Sources add that Prime Minister Ashraf is waiting for the detailed Supreme Court order after which he would consult President Asif Ali Zardari.

Speaking to reporters, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the Supreme Court order was unexpected. Information Qamar Zaman Kaira while speaking to Kamran Khan on Geo News said that Prime Minister Ashraf and the Law Ministry had not received the written order of the Supreme Court. Kaira added that people would not let democracy be derailed.

Appearing on Capital Talk with Hamid Mir, Law Minister Farooq Naek said the Supreme Court order did not mention that Prime Minister Ashraf should be arrested.

Meanwhile after the Supreme Court order shops have been closed in Sukkur and aerial firing has been reported in Hyderabad.

The Karachi Stock Exchange fell by nearly three percent after news of the court order, highlighting anxiety over political uncertainty.