Govt to appeal against SC verdict on NAB law

The federal government has decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the decision to declare the amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 null and void.
Sources maintained that the appeal would be filed in the next few days through the law ministry.

The appeal will also seek time to submit additional documents in the appeal.

In a highly anticipated verdict on September 15, the Supreme Court in a majority decision allowed former prime minister Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments made to the NAO 1999 by the PDM-led government during its tenure, and ordered the restoration of corruption cases against public office holders that were withdrawn following the tweaks.

The apex court, with a majority of 2 to 1 ordered the reopening of all corruption cases worth less than Rs500 million that were previously closed against political leaders from various parties and public office holders. The court declared the amendments null and void.

Furthermore, the top court directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to return all case records to the relevant courts within seven days.

The verdict also highlighted that the NAB amendments in question impacted the rights of the public as outlined in the Constitution.

The order, announced by former chief justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial in his final session before retirement, stated, "By a majority of 2:1 (Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah dissenting), Constitution Petition No.21 of 2022 is allowed."

The court has also invalidated the judgments issued by the accountability courts based on the amended laws.