Tag: National Accountability Bureau (NAB)

  • Supreme Court orders restoration of corruption cases against politicians

    Supreme Court orders restoration of corruption cases against politicians

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday struck down recent amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, during the tenure of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government. A three-member SC bench headed by outgoing Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, and comprising of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, conducted 53 hearings on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s petition against the changes made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance under the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022.

    Today’s 2-1 majority verdict has resulted in the restoration of corruption cases against public office holders, which were closed down following the NAB amendments. The ruling specifically reinstated the NAB clause pertaining to the Service of Pakistan.

    In June 2022, former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan approached the top court to challenge the amendments to the NAB laws, contending that they will “virtually eliminate any white-collar crime committed by a public office holder”.

    On September 5, the SC reserved its verdict in the case. “My retirement is near, [we] will give a decision before retirement. We will soon announce a short and sweet verdict of the case,” said CJ Bandial.

    According to today’s SC verdict, the petition by PTI Chairman against NAB amendments was declared admissible by the majority decision, restoring all closed inquiries filed with the anti-corruption body. The top court has ordered restoring all graft cases worth less than Rs500 million that were closed down after the amendments.

    According to The Express Tribune, former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was a major beneficiary of the amendments. Other beneficiaries include former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz, Faryal Talpur, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Rana Sanaullah, Javed Lateef, Makhdoom Khosro Bakhtiar, Amir Mehmood Kayani, Akram Durani , Saleem Mandiwala, Noor Alam Khan, Nawab Aslam Riasani, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Barjees Tahir, Nawab Ali Wasan, Sharjeel Memon, Anwarul Haq Kakar, Liaqat Jatoi, Amir Maqam, Goram Bugti, Jaffer Mandokhel and G-B Governor Syed Mehdi Shah.

  • Justice Javed Iqbal challenges formation of inquiry commission in harassment case

    Former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Tuesday challenged the formation of an inquiry commission to probe the Tayyaba Gul harassment case in the Lahore High Court (LHC), reports Dawn.

    Gul had lodged a harassment case with an accountability court in Lahore. She also put the issue before the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

    Advocate Safdar Shaheen representing Iqbal had filed a petition with the court and made the federal government party to it.

    The federal government could not form an inquiry committee because the matter was sub judice, pleaded the petitioner before the court.

    Shaheen said it violated Article 10-A of the Constitution and no one could start an investigation into a case that was sub judice.

    Last month, Gul said that Justice (retd) Iqbal threatened to destroy her life. She made this revelation before the PAC.

    “Javed Iqbal would tell me that he will destroy my life within a minute,” said Gul.

  • Khan challenges NAB amendments in Supreme Court

    Khan challenges NAB amendments in Supreme Court

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan approached the Supreme Court (SC) to challenge the recent amendments to the National Account­ability (NAB) Ordinance, contending that they will “virtually eliminate any white-collar crime committed by a public office holder”.

    In the petition filed today (June 25), Khan named the Federation of Pakistan through its secretary Law and Justice Division, and the NAB through its chairman as respondents in the case.

    Khan had said his party would challenge the recent amendments to the NAB law in the SC.

    Addressing a press conference at his Banigala residence, Imran Khan expressed hope that the top court would take notice of the development, adding that if such moves were allowed then it would be detrimental to the country.

    Earlier in June, President Dr Arif Alvi refused to sign the bills seeking amendments in NAB and election laws.

    The bill was returned back to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif as the president said he “was not informed” about the “legislative proposal” under Article 46 before they were tabled in parliament.

  • Arif Alvi returns NAB, election amendment bills to PM, says ‘was not informed’ about ‘legislative proposal’

    Arif Alvi returns NAB, election amendment bills to PM, says ‘was not informed’ about ‘legislative proposal’

    President Dr Arif Alvi refused to sign the bills seeking amendments in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and election laws.

    The bill has been returned back to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif as the president said he “was not informed” about the “legislative proposal” under Article 46 before they were tabled in parliament.

    Last week, the National Assembly (NA) passed bills to scrap election reforms giving overseas Pakistanis the right to vote through i-Voting and electronic voting machines (EVMs), as well as the NAB laws, done during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) tenure in power.

    A press release issued by the president’s office said that Article 46 was violated as he was not informed about the legislative proposals before they were brought before parliament. Article 46 states that “the prime minister shall keep the president informed on all legislative proposals the federal government intends to bring before Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)”.

  • NAB reports Rs864 billion recovery since inception

    NAB reports Rs864 billion recovery since inception

    Since its formation, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered Rs864 billion from corrupt elements, directly and indirectly.

    The anti-graft watchdog, NAB has collected Rs584 billion during the tenure of incumbent Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal.

    Due to the NAB’s aggressive prosecution, the Accountability Courts penalized 1,405 accused persons and imposed substantial fines on them, as per a NAB spokesman.

    In the Accountability Courts, NAB has a 66 per cent overall conviction rate. NAB received a total of 405,768 complaints since its formation. A total of 405,212 complaints were handled. The inquiry of 556 complaints is still ongoing.

    100,865 complaints have been acknowledged by the NAB. There were around 100,425 complaints investigated. While 779 complaints were still being investigated. 9883 queries have been approved by NAB.

    8,953 queries were followed through to completion. A total of 930 inquiries were investigated.

    NAB allowed 4,547 investigations since its establishment. A total of 42,100 investigations have been completed. While working on 346, the probe is still ongoing. Since its founding, the NAB has filed 3,645 referrals in accountability courts. 2,398 references were disposed of in accordance with the law. Currently, 1,237 referrals worth Rs1,335 billion are being tried in various accountability courts.

  • Assets beyond known sources of income: NAB begins probe against Farah Khan

    Assets beyond known sources of income: NAB begins probe against Farah Khan

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday ordered an inquiry against Farhat Shahzadi alias Farah Khan following allegations of accumulation of illegal assets beyond known sources of income, ARY News reported.

    In a press statement, the anti-graft watchdog has directed the DG NAB Lahore to conduct an inquiry against Farhat Shahzadi alias Farah Khan, a close friend of former prime minister’s wife Bushra Bibi, over allegations of illegal assets beyond known sources of income, money laundering and maintaining various accounts in the name of different businesses.

    “Huge turnover amounting to Rs847 million has been found in Farah’s account during last three years, which does not commensurate with her stated account profile,” the anti-corruption body said in a press release and added that these credits were received in Farah Khan’s personal account and withdrawn immediately within a short time period.

    The NAB further said: “While reviewing the income tax returns of Farhat Shahzadi, it was allegedly observed that her assets have significantly increased form the year 2018 onwards for unknown reasons.”

    Moreover, Farhat Shahzadi also found travelling to foreign jurisdictions; 9 times to the USA and six times to UAE, it added.

    FARAH KHAN DENIES ALLEGATIONS

    Earlier, Farah Khan has denied allegations against her, saying she never interfered in the governmental affairs, days after the opposition blamed her for having a role in transfer and postings in the Punjab province.

    The clarification from Farah Khan, who is considered close to former first lady Bushra Bibi, came after members from opposition parties and estranged PTI leader Aleem Khan blamed that she used to play her role in transfer of officials in the Punjab province.