Inquiry against ex-minister: Court directs NAB to submit progress report

Accused, Rauf Siddiqui did not appear for hearing in person

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit a detailed progress report on an inquiry against Muttahida Quami Movement leader Rauf Siddiqui over his involvement in illegal appointments in small industries.

A two member bench held the hearing of the case in Karachi on Monday.

Siddiqui did not appear for the hearing in person, while an exemption application filed by his counsel stated that his client could not be present in court as he had gone for Umrah to Saudi Arabia.

An anti-terrorism court has also granted Siddiqui permission to leave the country. The SHC bench accepted his exemption plea while the NAB prosecutor requested time to complete the inquiry.

The court also extended the interim bail granted to the former provincial minister and ordered NAB to present a detailed report of the inquiry at the next hearing on October 24.

According to NAB, Siddiqui made six employees permanent during his tenure without legal course.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2018.