Court bashes NAB over incomplete inquiries

Justice Sial says investigation officers should face disciplinary action for their inefficiency

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court expressed annoyance on Tuesday over the delay in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) inquiries against the corruption in Badin district developmental projects and ordered the national watchdog to submit a report by February 6 after completing the inquiries against accused Aijaz Sheikh, Zulfiqar Abro and others.

The division bench, comprising Justice Omar Sial and Justice Yousuf Saeed, was hearing the case in which Justice Sial remarked that NAB inquiry was facing delay since 2016 and a disciplinary action should be initiated against the investigation officer. NAB was continuously misguiding the court. Why the accused were arrested if there was no evidence against them, asked Justice Sial. NAB should admit that it has failed to collect evidence against accused.

Investigation officer said that the accused had committed the corruption of more than Rs300 million and statements of more than 140 people have already been recorded.



Municipality dept corruption

The same bench granted extension to investigation officer of the NAB to complete the investigation in reference against former Sindh municipality secretary Ramzan Awan till February 19.

Investigation officer informed the bench that the reference had been filed against the corruption in the municipality department and Awan's name was not present in it. Inquiry was going on in another case against the former secretary, hence further time was required for investigation. The court expressed annoyance over the delay in the completion of inquiry. Investigation officer said that the corruption committed in the municipality department could not be ignored.

Justice Sial remarked that why doesn't NAB complete the inquiry in 90 days according to the law. The court, however, accepting the request, granted extension and adjourned the hearing. The petition filed argued that NAB officials were harassing Awan. "I have no connection with the corruption of Ramzan Solangi. Court is requested to stop NAB from illegal arrest and harassment," the petition read.

Plots' conversion

The same bench sought progress report from NAB till January 31 over the bail pleas of former Karachi Development Authority (KDA) director-general Nasir Abbas and others related to the conversion of residential plots to commercial plots.

The bench expressed annoyance over investigation officer sending Whatsapp messages to Advocate Kaleemullah Kashani, who was sought in the inquiry. The court said that this was not the way to investigate an accused, be professional and investigate professionally.

The court also ordered the provision of medical facilities to the co-accused Javed Ahmed in jail. Accused's counsel Amir Naqvi argued that accused, Nasir Abbas, was not guilty of these accusations and no loss occurred after the lease of plots. He didn't allot any plots and he was arrested prior to any inquiry. There was no evidence against him, Naqvi said. NAB's investigation officer said that evidence against Nasir Abbas was available. He converted the residential plots into commercial and his signatures as the director-general were there on the documents. The court sought the progress report from NAB and adjourned the hearing.



Larkana Development Authority

The same bench, ordering NAB to submit the report after completing the investigations related to the inquiry against Larkana Development Authority (LDA) Chairman Asghar Abbas within a month in the corruption reference of LDA, remarked that if anyone wanted to see the development in Sindh they can visit Larkana. These bureaucrats have ruined the country.

The court expressed annoyance with NAB over not completing the inquiry against Asghar Abbas on time. Justice Sial remarked that billions of rupees were granted for the developmental works in Larkana which was embezzled. "What have they done to Larkana. Not a single road or a street is properly built. All the roads have been destroyed. The public trust will fade if fair accountability is not done."

The court, ordering the report to be submitted within a month, adjourned the hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2019.