Pakistan bars call for NAB chairman to step down

Says judgement against the institution has cast doubts over its transparency


Hasnaat Malik July 25, 2020
PHOTO: INP

ISLAMABAD:

Representatives of the superior bars on Saturday demanded chairman NAB to resign following the apex court’s judgement in Khawaja Saad Rafique’s bail plea.

"It is the historic judgment authored by Honourable Justice Maqbool Baqar, whereunder, not only the discriminatory actions on part of NAB but the entire functioning of decadent and the corrupt state institutions are exposed, the bench has also settled down the principles for grant of bail in such matters," a resolution passed by a committee of five superior bars representatives— members of Judicial Commission of Pakistan—stated.

The resolution says that the Supreme Court has rightly held that until a culture of transparency, liberty, civility and democratic values is created, our desire for peace and good order shall continue to elude us

“The committee expects that on reading the judgment, the chairman, NAB, would voluntarily tender his resignation,” the resolution added.

Earlier, the Supreme Court has held NAB responsible for delay in deciding corruption cases, observing that its investigation officers did not have the qualifications and capabilities.

 A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard the case regarding misappropriation in the construction of Lakhra Power Plant.

 During the proceedings, the chief justice reviewed the performance of the anti-graft watchdog and asked its chairman to change the investigation team.

 The other judge on the bench, Justice Yahya Afridi, remarked, “What is the reason behind arrests before the investigation is complete? If an accused did not reply during the investigation, an arrest is understandable, but making arrests without any reason burdens the courts.”

The court also observed that there was no system in NAB to check the quality of investigation. “Defective investigation report is converted into reference,” it noted.

 The bench remarked that NAB tried to correct its mistakes after filing the reference and courts faced difficulty over deciding on erroneous references. “Delays in deciding corruption cases began with the NAB office,” it added.

 

COMMENTS (2)

DevilHunterX | 3 years ago | Reply

Who keeps granting bail and stay orders so the case keep getting dragged on for years?

FBR | 3 years ago | Reply

There haven’t been able to convict anyone and everyone knows there is lot of corruption in the country. These idiots in NAB should be brought to justice for wasting the resources of the country and there should be put in jail for a long time.

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