SHC orders NAB to wrap up investigation against Agha Siraj Durrani

The IO is given four weeks to complete investigation and submit a report

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to wrap up its investigation against Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani within four weeks.

A division bench, headed by Chief Justice (CJ) Ahmed Ali Shaikh, was hearing the plea filed by Durrani on Wednesday, requesting the court to declare his arrest illegal.

Justice Sheikh asked the NAB investigation officer (IO) about the status of the investigation and till when the NAB would submit its investigation report.

The IO said that Durrani's remand had already ended and investigation was under way. He asked for four weeks to submit the report.

The court said if the investigation is not finished in four weeks, then it will pass the order on the plea of the petitioner on the basis of available evidences before the court.

"How many vehicles belonged to Durrani that were not purchased legally?" the court asked. The IO replied that 25 vehicles were purchased illegally.

The petitioner's lawyer informed the court that his client was in prison so his bail plea should be heard. On this, the bench commented that many people have been in jail for a long time.



The petitioner's lawyer said that his client was being subjected to political victimisation and NAB had failed to produce any solid evidence against him.

The court ordered NAB director to wrap up the inquiry by May 29 and submit a detailed answer.

Durrani had filed a petition seeking his bail and challenging his arrest in scores of corruption inquiries including alleged embezzlement of public funds and illegal appointments in government departments. Durrani was arrested by NAB from Islamabad in February this year.

The court, later, adjourned the hearing till May 29.

Bail granted

The same bench granted protective bail against a surety of Rs200,000 to former Karachi administrator Muhammad Hussain Syed in the fake accounts' case.

According to NAB, the former administrator was accused for selling the amenity plot reserved for a library. Syed's counsel, Advocate Amir Raza Naqvi, argued that his client was ready to appear before the related court.

The court accepted the protective bail plea and ordered the accused to appear before the NAB court in Rawalpindi within ten days.

Blood money

The same bench directed the Sindh government to pay blood money and fine worth Rs33o million imposed on 37 prisoners within a week over the plea seeking the release of prisoners and non-payment of blood money on their behalf.

The Home Department Deputy Secretary Amanullah informed the court that approval has been given therefore the blood money on behalf of the prisoners will be paid soon. CJ remarked that the money should be paid "immediately" instead of "soon". "You will understand if you had to spend a single day in jail."

Additional Advocate-General Mustafa Mahesar argued that only two accused in the incident of Ghaghar Phatak had to pay Rs265 million in blood money. The amount of blood money and fine imposed on other prisoners was not too high. The CJ remarked that the age limit of prisoners should be reduced for the payment of blood money on behalf of the prisoners. "How could a twenty-year-old poor prisoner stay in jail for 20 more years?"

Court directed the authorities to make laws for the payment of blood money and to fix the age limit of the prisoners. Additional attorney-general argued that the committee has forwarded the matter to the Parliament and it will be resolved soon. The court adjourned the hearing till April 30.

DCs summoned

The SHC summoned the East and Korangi deputy commissioners (DCs) to appear before the court on May 9 over the plea filed by a citizen, Akhter Hussain, against blocking his Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal, was hearing the plea on Wednesday in which the petitioner's counsel argued that his client was a Pakistani national and had gone to Saudi Arabia through his Pakistani passport and CNIC. However, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has blocked his CNIC on the basis of a nikkah nama [marriage certificate] signed in 1965. The said nikkah nama is no more valid now he is a Pakistani citizen. NADRA doesn't have any prove against Akhter Hussain, maintained the petitioner's counsel.

The court expressed annoyance with the government lawyer and remarked, "Where do these people come from? Is the home department incompetent? They turn Pakistani citizens into Bengali or Afghani. What do they think Pakistan is? Anyone can come and start living here?"

NADRA's lawyer maintained that they didn't have the authority to arrest people hence the matter is being heard in court. Court, ordering East and Korangi DCs to appear before the court, adjourned the hearing till May 9.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2019.