NAB amendments bring a ray of hope for many

During last one week, 21 applications have been filed by accused seeking relief in different cases

ISLAMABAD: The NAB amendment ordinance promulgated by the PTI government has drawn many accused to file for relief.

Several applications pertaining to NAB references have been filed in the Islamabad High Court and NAB courts in the last few days.

According to documents available with The Express Tribune, 21 applications have been filed under the amendment ordinance during the past one week, bringing the total number of applications to 31.
These applications have been filed in 25 different references.

Notable among those who have knocked the door of the court in this context include former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf and ex-finance minister Shaukat Tareen.

Former Sindh information minister Sharjeel Memon and JUI-F leader Akram Durrani are also trying to seek relief in high court in view of these amendments.

Accountability court postpones Zardari's indictment in Park Lane case

In December, last year, the PTI government had made drastic changes in the country’s accountability law — the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 — through a presidential ordinance that was said to benefit not only politicians but also bureaucrats as well as the business community.

According to some amendments, the anti-graft body cannot take up graft cases below Rs500 million; arrest of government official requires scrutiny body’s permission; the role of the NAB chairman in the appointment of the prosecutor general has been abolished; the anti-graft body cannot make a public statement at the stages of inquiry and investigation; it no longer can get the custody of a suspect for 90 days as the period has been curtailed to 14 days; burden of proof that previously rested on a suspect now lies on the prosecution.

Also, a time period for completion of an inquiry — six months — was inserted in the law through an amendment with another clause binding the NAB that it could not reopen an inquiry/investigation on a complaint once it was completed.