Federal govt asked to submit NAB norms on formulation of rules
A file photo of the Sindh High Court building.
The Sindh High Court has given a deadline to the federal government to submit NAB criteria for formulating rules and regulations for the investigation procedures of the bureau.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro heard the petition of Tariq Mansoor Advocate regarding formulation of rules and regulations on NAB investigation procedure.
The Assistant Attorney General stated that the drafting of the rules was delayed due to the Second Amendment to the NAB Ordinance.
According to the new ordinance, there is a period of 120 days to frame the rules. Some changes have been made in the NAB Amendment Ordinance so the rules draft could not be finalised.
The draft NAB rules was submitted to the court. The court was requested not to make the draft public until the gazette notification of NAB rules is issued.
Petitioner Tariq Mansoor Advocate stated that new documents are attached every time. There is no seriousness in making NAB rules. NAB takes action against people, the accused do not know their rights.
The NAB enacted legislation in 2002 to contribute to the recovery of money, but did not set up rules of inquiry. The making of NAB rules is being delayed deliberately.
Read: "Sindh High Court seeks progress report on NAB rules"
NAB has been working without rules for years. Rules are required under Section 34 of the NAB Ordinance. NAB has been running without rules for 22 years. There can be no inquiry and investigation without rules.
The court warned the federal government to present NAB rules or else suspend NAB SOPs. Justice Kalhoro remarked, "We are giving one-month deadline. If NAB rules have not been made within this period then how an action could be taken against anyone? Defendants should also know what their rights are."
The court adjourned the hearing till March 2 at the request of Assistant Attorney General of Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2022.