The Sindh High Court directed the National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (NICVD) on Wednesday to cooperate fully with the National Accountability Bureau in the inquiry pertaining to irregularities in zakat and other funds given to the health facility.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi, was hearing the bail pleas of those accused in the accountability watchdog's graft inquiry.
The NAB investigation officer maintained before the court that the accused were not cooperating with the bureau. They have not provided the required records of the health facility, the IO maintained.
The NAB should inform which documents and records have not been provided, countered the defence counsel.
The IO maintained that all details and records pertaining to this inquiry have been sent to the NAB headquarters in Islamabad and the bureau's chairperson will issue further directives regarding it.
Directing the accused to cooperate with the inquiry and provide all required records, the court extended the bail of the accused till February 2, 2021.
The accused include NICVD Chairperson Dr Nadeem Qamar, Dawar Hussain and Dr Nasrullah Malik, among others.
Absent officials
Another bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, issued notices to the Sindh advocate-general and the provincial local government secretary over the absence of government representatives at the hearing of a plea pertaining to stray dogs and lack of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV).
The court remarked that representatives of the local government and the Sindh home department should ensure their presence at the next hearing and inform the court on the progress made towards controlling stray dogs.
The court issued notices to the relevant officials and sought their replies by January 18.
Price hikes
The same bench sough replies from federal institutions over a plea against the price hike of essential food items.
The parties are not responding despite being issued notices thrice, maintained the petitioner. He contended that the price hikes have made it difficult for citizens to purchase basic food items.
The petitioner prayed the court to ask the Centre why the increase in prices is not being controlled.
The court inquired from the deputy attorney-general as to why federal institutions are not submitting their replies despite being notified multiple times.
The deputy attorney-general maintained that the submission of replies will be ensured by the next hearing.
The court sought replies from the federal institutions by the next hearing.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2020.
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