A file photo of Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI: An accountability court on Thursday granted the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) eight-day physical remand of Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani.
The Sindh Assembly speaker was arrested by the NAB a day before and was produced before the accountability court in Karachi.
‘Step backward for democracy’: Govt, opposition trade barbs after Durrani’s arrest
Durrani, facing an inquiry relating to the accumulation of ‘assets beyond known sources of income’ was arrested by the NAB Karachi in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The PPP leader was brought to court in an armoured vehicle amid strict security.
Presenting their case, NAB authorities had requested the court for a 14-day physical remand.
Following his arrest, NAB had obtained three-day transit remand of the PPP leader.
This was the first time that a sitting speaker of a legislative assembly was arrested in the country.
A source privy to the development told The Express Tribune that two other inquiries of corruption and illegal appointments are already pending before the NAB against Durrani.
According to the Sindh government, the speaker remains a custodian of the House representing 168 MPAs elected from various constituencies of the province. Therefore, Durrani cannot be arrested merely on the basis of an inquiry.
However, the NAB officials were of the view that the arrest came after Durrani did not present himself before the inquiry committee, even after being issued three notices.
Incensed by Durrani’s arrest, PPP lashes out at centre
The provincial government and members of the ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) also took a strong exception to Durrani’s arrest.
The party decided to challenge the arrest in the court and protest in the upcoming session of the Sindh Assembly, scheduled for February 27.
PPP ministers held a press conference, where they alleged that there were separate sets of laws operational – one for the PPP and another for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its allies.
Acting Speaker Sindh Assembly Rehana Leghari issued production orders of Durrani later in the day.
The production order asks DG NAB to ensure Durrani’s presence in session scheduled for February 22.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ