Lahore: Shahbaz Sharif, brother of former Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif, is facing possible arrest over his alleged involvement in the murder of five students here in 1998 when he was the Chief Minister of Punjab province, days after his nomination papers for the January 8 general election were rejected.

An anti-terrorism court, which is hearing the case of the killing of the students - suspected criminals - in a fake gun battle with police allegedly on instructions from Shahbaz, had earlier ordered his arrest.

The court yesterday issued notices to Lahore's police chief and another officer for not arresting Shahbaz.

The notices were issued in response to a contempt application that said the two officers were not obeying the order to arrest Shahbaz, who was declared a proclaimed offender in the case. The police officers were directed by the court to file their replies by December 6.

The complainant's counsel, Aftab Bajwa, said the court had thrice issued orders to arrest Shahbaz and produce him before it. He alleged the police officers had committed contempt of court by not obeying the orders.

Shahbaz, whose nomination papers for the January 8 general election were rejected last week for his alleged involvement in the extra-judicial killings, informed the court through his lawyer that he could not appear before the judge because he was in exile and was not allowed to return to Pakistan by the government.

Sharif, whose nomination papers were rejected yesterday, and his brother returned to Pakistan on November 25. A case was registered against Shahbaz in January 2001 by the father of one of the five students who were killed in the Sabza Zar area of Lahore. Shahbaz was accused of ordering the killings.

Source : PTI