Embassy property: NAB told to file reply by March 2

Petitioner alleged NAB authorities had not adhered to the court orders for which they should be tried and punished.

LAHORE:

Justice Umar Ata Bandial of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday again sought replies from the National Accountability Bureaus chairman and director general on a contempt of court petition against them.

The court had earlier ordered the respondents to hold investigate alleged embezzlement in the illegal sale of properties of the Pakistani embassies in Japan and Indonesia. On Wednesday, the judge also summoned the advocate general for March 2.

The petition was moved by Dr Qaiser Rashid through his counsel Sajjad Mahmood Butt contending that the embassy buildings in Japan and Indonesia had been unlawfully sold and billions of rupees misappropriation in the deal. The petitioner’s counsel said on April 15, 2011 the LHC had directed the NAB director general to hold an inquiry into the allegations within 60 days. He alleged that the NAB authorities had not adhered to the court orders for which they should be tried and punished.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2012.