IHC issues notices on DG NAB Lahore's plea against PAC

High court to hear arguments over plea's maintainability on July 20

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the attorney general for Pakistan, seeking his assistance on the question, whether or not the court issue a writ against the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Acting IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq heard a petition filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General Major (retd) Shehzad Saleem, against summoning by PAC on the harassment allegations.

The counsel for the petitioner contended that the function of the Public Accounts Committee was to audit government funds; therefore, it could not summon anyone on allegations of harassment. He requested to court to suspend the PAC summon to the petitioner for July 18.

The PAC summon was issued after the committee heard a woman, Tayyaba Gull, whose controversial video with the former NAB chairman had surfaced in 2019. In her statement last week, she levelled serious allegations against NAB officials, including Shahzad Saleem.

During the hearing, the judge asked whether the court could issue a writ against PAC, whether or not the petition was admissible and was PAC part of parliament. The court issued notice to the AGP, directing him to assist the court.

On the petitioner’s request to issue stay order on the PAC summon, the court also issued notices. The hearing was adjourned till July 20.