PTI files reference against NAB chief in SJC
Petition says respondent fails to discharge duties in accordance with law
NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry. PHOTO: INP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday filed a reference before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), seeking the removal of the incumbent National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman.
The complaint was filed by PTI spokesperson Fawad Hussain Chaudhry through Advocate Chaudhry Faisal Hussain under Article 209 of the Constitution for the removal of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry.
The complainant submitted that the NAB chairman has been found guilty of glaring and stunning illegalities, and violations of the code of conduct in the wake of infamous ‘Panama scandal’ that has been graciously allowed vide the historic and landmark judgment on April 20.
“The findings of the judges in their respective notes as well as in the order of the court are such that the chairman must be stopped forthwith from dispensing his duties and also removed from the office to face criminal proceedings for violating the law and the Constitution, and for being disrespectful and dishonest to his legal obligations.”
“The NAB chairman has failed to discharge his duties in accordance with law and has also been partial, dishonest and hand in glove with the culprits, and failed to put those on trial instead, further that he has been naïve and weak towards his mandatory duties, hence he is liable to be removed forthwith from his incumbent office for not being God fearing, law abiding, abstemious, truthful, cautions, forbearing and wise in opinion, and for being absolutely carefree and oblivious to preserve the dignity of his office,” the petition maintained.
Moreover, the respondent being the chairman of NAB did not act to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices from the country, and to also being instrumental in avoiding trials, in spite of having credible and reliable evidence against the incumbent prime minister and his family members, who have been found guilty and suspect of illegal and unlawful actions, the complaint against the NAB chief read.
“It is abundantly clear that the respondent has ceased of the mandatory requirements and prerequisites for being the chairman of the apex investigative body of the country (NAB) and he is neither neutral nor impartial; hence, he cannot be allowed to remain in the incumbent office to save such a prestigious position from further humiliation and contempt. It would be not out of place to suggest that the respondent’s being in the office would amount nothing but contempt and disrespect of the wisdom of respectable judges of this court.
“The respondent’s integrity, impartiality and honesty have been determined as having been compromised. In the circumstances, it would be absolutely fair to restrain the respondent from performing his duties as NAB chairman to save the nation from the respondent who has sold his soul to the powerful elite and instead of performing his duty he is hell-bent on aiding them.”
The complainant said: “The NAB chairman by virtue of his office can deter the fate of hundreds of inquiries, investigations or litigations. Hence, any person with such a poor, dubious and murky track record can never be trusted and it will not be out of place to expect that the above said findings by the Supreme Court of Pakistan are only the tip of the iceberg.”
The PTI spokesperson said he was filing the reference with the sole objective to uphold the Constitution and ensure rule of law.
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday filed a reference before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), seeking the removal of the incumbent National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman.
The complaint was filed by PTI spokesperson Fawad Hussain Chaudhry through Advocate Chaudhry Faisal Hussain under Article 209 of the Constitution for the removal of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry.
The complainant submitted that the NAB chairman has been found guilty of glaring and stunning illegalities, and violations of the code of conduct in the wake of infamous ‘Panama scandal’ that has been graciously allowed vide the historic and landmark judgment on April 20.
“The findings of the judges in their respective notes as well as in the order of the court are such that the chairman must be stopped forthwith from dispensing his duties and also removed from the office to face criminal proceedings for violating the law and the Constitution, and for being disrespectful and dishonest to his legal obligations.”
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“The NAB chairman has failed to discharge his duties in accordance with law and has also been partial, dishonest and hand in glove with the culprits, and failed to put those on trial instead, further that he has been naïve and weak towards his mandatory duties, hence he is liable to be removed forthwith from his incumbent office for not being God fearing, law abiding, abstemious, truthful, cautions, forbearing and wise in opinion, and for being absolutely carefree and oblivious to preserve the dignity of his office,” the petition maintained.
Moreover, the respondent being the chairman of NAB did not act to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices from the country, and to also being instrumental in avoiding trials, in spite of having credible and reliable evidence against the incumbent prime minister and his family members, who have been found guilty and suspect of illegal and unlawful actions, the complaint against the NAB chief read.
“It is abundantly clear that the respondent has ceased of the mandatory requirements and prerequisites for being the chairman of the apex investigative body of the country (NAB) and he is neither neutral nor impartial; hence, he cannot be allowed to remain in the incumbent office to save such a prestigious position from further humiliation and contempt. It would be not out of place to suggest that the respondent’s being in the office would amount nothing but contempt and disrespect of the wisdom of respectable judges of this court.
“The respondent’s integrity, impartiality and honesty have been determined as having been compromised. In the circumstances, it would be absolutely fair to restrain the respondent from performing his duties as NAB chairman to save the nation from the respondent who has sold his soul to the powerful elite and instead of performing his duty he is hell-bent on aiding them.”
The complainant said: “The NAB chairman by virtue of his office can deter the fate of hundreds of inquiries, investigations or litigations. Hence, any person with such a poor, dubious and murky track record can never be trusted and it will not be out of place to expect that the above said findings by the Supreme Court of Pakistan are only the tip of the iceberg.”
The PTI spokesperson said he was filing the reference with the sole objective to uphold the Constitution and ensure rule of law.