PML-N moves SC to remove NAB chief

Petitioner says media reports of money laundering already refuted in September 2016

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N leader on Saturday filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking removal of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal for “leveling allegations of money laundering against Nawaz Sharif”.

The petition filed by Noor Muhammad Awan under Article 184(3) of the Constitution prayed that the court should remove the NAB chairman for “damaging the reputation of a political leader without any cogent material and causing reckless loss to the institution as he could not hold office due to partiality and unable to work with fairness”.



The petition reads that politicians generally level baseless allegations against their rivals to secure their political goals and motives. “The removal [of NAB chairman] is inevitable to meet the ends of justice,” it adds.

On May 8, the NAB chairman, taking notice of money laundering allegations, ordered an investigation against former premier Nawaz Sharif.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had categorically rejected a report that suggests an outflow of $4.9 billion from Pakistan to India as remittances, terming the report contrary to the facts.



In a press release issued by the country’s top anti-graft body, the chairman took notice of the reports on news channels claiming that Sharif laundered $4.9 billion to India.

The petitioner states that a probe into an already falsified report shows that “Iqbal is incapable of keeping aside prejudices” against the former prime minister.

He further states that the captain of the institution harbours ill will against the former premier and his removal is justified in view of the independence of the institution.

The petitioner argues that Iqbal violated Article 184(3) of the Constitution.