NBP president’s plea in supplementary reference dismissed

Next hearing in case set for March 27

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court dismissed on Tuesday an application from the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) president, requesting the court to ‘reject’ a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to his extent and “frame charges only when there are grounds” to proceed to trial.

The decision was made as the court heard the NAB’s supplementary reference against former finance minister Ishaq Dar, NBP President Saeed Ahmed and two others.

After dismissing the application, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir adjourned the hearing till March 27.

The counsel for the petitioner, while talking to the media, said he would challenge the decision before the high court.

Ahmed had filed the application under Section 265-D (when charge is to be framed) of the Criminal Procedure Code, praying that the court reject the supplementary reference to his extent.

In addition, he prayed the court subject NAB -- working with the slogan, “Say no to corruption!” to pay compensation for his false involvement in the case.

The NAB’s reference read, it was revealed that Ahmed was one of the directors of Hajveri Modaraba Management Company and 7,000 shares in Hajveri Holding (Pvt) Ltd were also transferred in his favour from the wife of the principal accused – Dar.



The reference stated that seven bank accounts were opened in Ahmed’s name that, as per investigation conducted so far, were used for the benefit of Dar and his companies.

NAB alleged that Ahmed had intentionally allowed Dar to open/operate/use bank accounts in his name to protect his illegal money and penal liability by providing cover to his criminal act whereby he aided, assisted and abetted the principal accused in the commission of offences.