NAB told to unfreeze housing society accounts

Petitioner laments that his business is suffering

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to unfreeze two bank accounts of the Blue World Housing Society.

A two-member bench of IHC, comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Babar Sattar presided over the case on Thursday. The court issued notices to NAB and directed them to release the frozen accounts of the society.

The petitioner's counsel said that the accountability watchdog sent notices to his client without mentioning the reason. He added that the bureau did not even state the charges against Saad Nazir, owner of the private housing society, adding that it employed 600 to 700 employees and monthly expenses are around Rs30 million to emphasise on the urgency of the matter.

The lawyers said that frozen bank accounts are affecting their client’s business. At this, the court remarked that they could not order NAB to stop the inquiry, adding that the suspect could obtain pre-bail arrest in case of any concerns. The hearing of the case was adjourned until January 19.

Furthermore, Nazir’s mobile phone was confiscated during the hearing after he answered a call while the court was in session. The officials returned his mobile phone after he submitted a fine of Rs1,000 at the Edhi Centre.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2021.