Sindh High Court seeks progress report on NAB rules
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought a progress report from all parties on a petition regarding NAB rules. The petition is related to NAB investigation and creation of the accountability watchdog's rules and regulations of the procedure.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Naimatulah Phulpoto, heard the petition of Advocate Tariq Mansoor. The NAB prosecutor Shahbaz Sahootra presented the draft of NAB rules in court. The bureau's prosecutor requested that since the draft NAB rules were not finalized, it should not be made public.
"How have you been taking action against people without NAB rules for 22 years?" Justice Phulpoto asked. The NAB prosecutor stated that the draft NAB rules had been sent to the president of Pakistan who forwarded the same to the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice which returned it with some objections.
"NAB has removed the objections and sent the draft back to the president and a copy of the rules has also been submitted to the Supreme Court," the NAB prosecutor contended.
Meanwhile, Advocate Tariq Mansoor argued that new documents are submitted every time. "There is no seriousness in making NAB rules. The bureau takes action against the people, but the accused persons do not know their rights." The court sought a progress report from the parties on January 27.
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Advocate Tariq Mansoor had argued in the petition that NAB made rules in 2002 for its share in the recovered money, but did not make rules for investigation. "The making of NAB rules is being deliberately delayed. NAB has been working without rules for years. Rules are required under Section 34 of the NAB Ordinance. The bureau has been running without rules for 22 years. There can be no inquiry and investigation without rules," he contended.
KDA given deadline
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has given a deadline to KDA on a petition against the failure of provide alternative plots in Lines Area for the last 27 years.
A bench, comprising Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar and Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, heard the petition. The court expressed its frustration to the KDA counsel. "Give the alternative plot to the petitioner otherwise orders will be given for payment of damages for the last 27 years," the court remarked.
"Pray that this case will not be fixed for hearing before me in the future, otherwise all the officers of KDA will go to jail," Justice Gorar remarked. The petitioner's counsel argued that the land of Muhammadi Hotel was added for the construction of the road. "My client has been seeking a replacement since 1994," the counsel contended.
"Ask the person whose hotel is closed as to what happened with him," Justice Rajput remarked. The KDA counsel requested for a final respite, saying the reply will be submitted at the next hearing.
The court remarked asked what the authority had been doing for 27 years. The court adjourned the hearing to January, giving KDA a final deadline.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2021.