Sharjeel Memon’s plea: NAB, FIA directed to produce details of inquiries, if any

Two-judge bench orders bureau to submit inquiry details by January 14

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit details of any inquiries initiated against Pakistan Peoples Party leader Sharjeel Memon.

Headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, a division bench sought details on the former provincial minister's petition seeking pre-arrest bail in a corruption inquiry purportedly initiated against him. On January 14, the two judges will see the details to be submitted by the bureau.

Currently residing in Dubai, Memon fears he will be arrested on basis of graft inquiries and placement of his name on the exit control list if and when he returns to the country. Filing two separate petitions through his attorney last week, the MPA from Tharparkar said since law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies had begun a crackdown against political leaders, he had come to know through the media that NAB had also initiated an inquiry against him with regards to alleged corruption during his recent tenure as information minister.



His attorney, Mazhar Hussain Pitafi, said neither the petitioner was involved in corrupt practices nor had he ever misused power when in government.

He alleged, however, that attempts were being made to implicate the former minister in false cases for offences he had not committed. Therefore, he pleaded the court to restrain NAB from arresting him in connection with any inquiry or taking any coercive action.



On the previous hearing, the court had issued notices to the deputy attorney general and NAB to file comments.

During Thursday's proceedings, the bench directed NAB to file details and record of inquiries, if any, initiated against the petitioner by January 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2016.