LHC issues notice over NAB chairman’s appointment

Federal government issued notice for September 20

LAHORE: Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi issued a notice to the federal government for September 20 on a petition seeking the removal of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman from his post. The petition asked that the appointment be declared null and void.

As proceedings commenced, the petitioner’s counsel raised objections over the appointment of the NAB chairman. He told the court that the president could make the appointment after seeking approval from the prime minister and the cabinet.

However, in this case, the president appointed the chairman without following the rules. After the appointment of the chairman, the president consulted with the other parties.

NAB chairman, prosecutor's enclave residences to be vacated

He highlighted that the president of the country could not do anything without the explicit approval of the prime minister and the cabinet’s instructions under Article 48(1) of the Constitution. He contended that Section 6b of the NAB Ordinance, 1999, is contradictory to Article 48 of the Constitution.

He asked that the court declare the appointment illegal, null and void and remove the chairman from his post.

CJ LHC sets new date in Dr AQ Khan case

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Sardar Shamim Ahmed Khan fixed September 25 as the date to hear arguments on nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s main petition in which he sought the ability to move freely.

Petitioner Dr AQ Khan was disappointed over the lack of progress in his petition. On Wednesday, he filed another petition through his counsels Advocate Muhammad Mudasar Chaudhary and Advocate Ghulam Mujtaba Chaudhary for the early hearing of his main writ petition.

On Thursday, Dr AQ Khan's counsel told the court that the titled writ petition had been pending on the Lahore High Court and a hearing for the same was fixed on July 11, 2019.

However, the hearing has not taken place to date after it was initially delayed due to the unavailability of a bench. After hearing the arguments presented by the petitioner’s legal team, the LHC CJ fixed the mentioned date for hearing.

PML-N demands NAB chairman’s resignation

In his main petition, Dr Qadeer pleaded with the court that he had the fundamental right to present his case.

He hoped to appear in court and outline his grievances, but said had been restrained from doing the same. He asked that an order be passed to the respondents regarding his personal appearance before the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2019.