SC tells NAB not to indulge in ‘illegal’ actions

Builder alleges NAB giving threats on phone without issuing call-up notice

KARACHI: The Supreme Court (SC) ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials to act strictly in accordance with the law over a plea filed by Humair Associates against harassment by the NAB.

A two-member bench comprising, Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the plea at the SC's Karachi registry. The petitioner's counsel, Advocate Ghulam Shabbir Baloch, argued that the NAB should be restricted from taking any action. The court remarked that the NAB should take action according to the law and that it will not be allowed to take any action that is illegal. Justice Alam remarked that the court will not restrict the NAB from taking any legal action.

The defence lawyer argued that NAB officials were giving threats on phone calls. Threats of arrest without call-up notice are illegal, he added. Justice Alam remarked that NAB officials would ask the accused to come to their office and record their statement. Advocate Baloch maintained that no call-up notice has been issued and his client's office had also been sealed. A plea bargain has also been submitted in one of the cases.

The court disposed of Humair Associates' plea while ordering NAB officials to act strictly in accordance with the law and stay within the legal limits.

According to the NAB, Humair Associates were working on two projects in Scheme 33. They collected money for the construction of houses but didn't allot them.

Humair Associates filed plea bargain pleas in two references in 2014. Sachal Sarmast and Rumi residential projects were built by Humair Associates. 110 more people have submitted their complaints to NAB. Rumi Builder's affidavit is submitted in the court. According to the affidavit, if there are any claimants, they will be compensated according to the law.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2019.