SHC extends Liaquat Jatoi's interim bail till August 30

NAB told to submit objections on Sharjeel Memon's plea for return of surety money

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit its reply by August 30 in the bail plea of former chief minister and federal minister for water and power Liaquat Jatoi.

The case was heard by a two-member bench during which NAB officials asked the court to grant an extension. The NAB prosecutor argued that investigations were under way against Jatoi and requested for more time to submit a written reply.

Jatoi's lawyer maintained that they were receiving reports from the media that a reference has been filed.

The petition states that NAB issued a notification to file a reference against Jaoti over alleged misuse of authority. NAB had asked for details regarding the appointment of Basharat Hassan as a consultant for alternative energy. The details that the NAB had summoned were provided.



The former chief minister had claimed that a board had approved the appointment of Hassan as a consultant. The appointment summary was approved by the prime minister and the notification was issued by PM House, Jatoi had said.

The court extended the interim bail of Jatoi till August 30.

Sharjeel Memon case

Meanwhile, the SHC gave a deadline till September 20 to NAB for submission of objections relating to former information minister Sharjeel Memon's plea for surety money the accused had deposited for his bail.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Iqbal Kalhoro, heard Memon's plea relating to the return of security money in the corruption case.

Advocate Faiz Shah observed that following the cancellation of interim bail, Memon, who is facing Rs5.76 billion corruption case, is currently in jail. His surety money should be returned, the lawyer argued. Memon had deposited Rs4 million as security money to the court.

Justice Kalhoro remarked that a decision will be made after listening to arguments.

NAB's lawyer maintained that the bureau wants to file objections and requested for time.

The court adjourned the hearing till September 20. Karachi

Illegal appointments

In another case, the SHC granted NAB time till September 20 to complete investigations relating to the alleged illegal appointments in the small-scale industries department.



A two-member heard the case on Wednesday for NAB's inquiry against the appointments.

Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Rauf Siddiqui was present in court where NAB prosecutor Yasir Mehmood requested the court to allow time for completion of the case inquiry.

"Inquiry against Siddiqui and others has entered its final phases," Mehmood told the court, adding that suspects were booked on charges of corruption and abuse of power.

The court directed NAB to submit a progress report by September 20 and granted an extension in the interim bail to Siddiqui.

According to NAB, the MQM-P leader illegally ordered the permanent appointment of six officials during his tenure.