Court restricts NAB from arresting Memon till Jan 24

Directs anti-graft watchdog to inform court about any ‘secret’ inquiries against PPP leader

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) restricted the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday from arresting Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Memon till January 24. A two-member bench comprising Justice Omar Sial and Justice Yousuf Sayeed was hearing the plea filed by Memon pertaining to the NAB inquiries against him.

Memon’s counsel, Advocate Raja Ali Wahid, maintained that there are two references against his client already under trial. He said that they have come to know that NAB is carrying out more inquiries against his client in secret and they do not know what these secret inquiries are about. Memon’s counsel prayed the court to bind NAB to reveal these inquiries. He maintained that his client feared arrest in these inquiries and NAB should be restricted from arresting Memon.

The court directed NAB to inform the court about these secret inquiries and restricted NAB from arresting Memon till January 24.

Extension granted

Separately, the bench accepted NAB’s request for an extension in the anti-graft watchdog’s inquiry against Sardar Khan Chandio and Burhan Khan Chandio.

Sharjeel Memon resigns from Sindh Assembly's PAC citing NAB case

The NAB prosecutor told the court that the report has been sent to the head office for further investigation after the completion of the inquiry. He prayed the court to grant an extension till the reply is received from the head office.

The court inquired as to when the reply was expected and the NAB prosecutor said within two weeks.

The court accepted NAB’s request and adjourned the hearing till January 19.

Iqama case

Meanwhile, a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal directed the parties, nominated in the case against PPP leaders pertaining to possession of Iqama, to submit written replies within 10 days. The bench was hearing a plea that challenged the eligibility of Faryal Talpur, Sohail Anwer Sial, Nasir Shah, Manzoor Wassan and other PPP leaders.

The counsels of the parties have completed their arguments while the counsels of Talpur and Sial have sought an extension to submit their written replies. Talpur’s lawyer sought a 10-day extension.

The court adjourned the hearing while seeking replies within 10 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2019.