IHC seeks assistance in NAB amendment case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to the Attorney General for Pakistan's (AGP) Office regarding a petition challenging the NAB (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, directing assistance by August 6.

The court has also issued notices to the parties involved, seeking para-wise comments.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Saturday issued an order for the proceedings on the petition challenging the amendments made to the law governing the country's top graft buster – the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) through a presidential ordinance.

According to the petitioner's lawyer, Sections 24 and 36 of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999 have been amended and the duration of physical remand for NAB suspects has been increased from 14 days to 40 days while the penalty for framing a false case has been reduced from 5 to 2 years.

The petitioner's lawyer argued that the amendments to the NAO, 1999 were made through an ordinance by an acting president. He contended that an acting president cannot issue an ordinance under Article 89 of the Constitution. The lawyer contended that the increase in the remand period was done with a mala fide intent for political revenge.

According to the order sheet, the IHC has issued notices for para-wise comments to the parties involved, while also seeking assistance from the AGP. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for August 6.