NAB seeks time in Toshakhana vehicles case

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday petitioned for time to compile a comprehensive report based on its investigation.

An accountability court presided over by Judge Nasir Javed Rana heard the Toshakhana vehicle reference implicating a roster of political heavyweights, including President Asif Ali Zardari, former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani, among others.

Deputy Prosecutor of NAB, Azhar Maqbool Shah, apprised the court that Nawaz Sharif had petitioned for a joint investigation. Consequently, a joint investigation was initiated, but currently, investigating officers were unavailable.

Shah assured the court that upon their availability, a thorough report would be submitted, delineating whether a case against Nawaz Sharif could proceed or not.

In light of these developments, the accountability court granted an extension, with the stipulation that the report be presented by the next hearing.

The court, therefore, adjourned the proceedings until April 17.

It is important to highlight that, as per the reference submitted by the National Accountability Bureau to the accountability court, Yousuf Raza Gilani, the co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at the time, Asif Zardari (who is now the president of the country), and Nawaz Sharif, supreme leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), were allegedly granted vehicles from the Toshakhana in violation of the law.