MQM leader Babar Ghauri. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has expressed resentment over not arresting former federal minister Babar Ghauri in the illegal appointment case. It has been alleged that 940 people were appointed illegally in the Ministry of Ports and Shipping.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Shaikh Azmat Saeed, took up the case for hearing on Tuesday.
The court sought a reply from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over measures taken for the arrest of former ports and shipping minister Ghauri. The court also sought a reply from the accountability watchdog over not including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani in the investigation.
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During the proceeding, the NAB prosecutor apprised the bench that the ministry’s employees were made permanent on the orders of the former prime minister.
Justice Saeed asked why the former premier was not nominated as a suspect or made part of the investigation.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa asked NAB officials about Ghauri’s whereabouts.
The NAB investigation officer informed the court that as per the travel history, the former minister was in United States and had been declared an absconder in the case.
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“It appears that NAB is protecting Ghauri,” Justice Isa remarked, asking whether Interpol was contacted for the arrest of the former ports and shipping minister.
The NAB officer apprised the court that a letter had been written for inclusion of Ghauri’s name in the Exit Control List.
An irked Justice Isa said how come he was not aware about the difference between Interpol and ECL?
“The prime minister directed the authorities to review the regularisation of employees. Did Babar Ghauri overstep the orders of the prime minister?”
Justice Azmat Saeed said that the prime minister had maintained that the prime minister would have given the orders without issuing any notice.
The court sought a detailed report from NAB and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.
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