NAB asks Accountability Court to reopen graft cases against Sharifs

ISLAMABAD: Chairman NAB Friday signed an application requesting the Accountability Court to reopen three references against Sharif brothers to contest quashment petition, which was filed by the Sharifs in Lahore High Court in October 2011.

According to sources, a decision to this effect was taken on the recommendation of a special committee constituted by the Chairman NAB Admiral (Retd) Fasih Bokhari under the supervision of NAB Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA) to scrutinize cases against politicians.

The cases include Hudaibia Paper Mills, Assets beyond known sources of income and Ittefaq Foundry (willful loan default), says a press release issued by NAB headquarters here on Friday.

It is pertinent to mention here that the proceedings on cases against Sharif brothers were adjourned sine-die by the Accountability Court in 2001 when they were in exile.

After their return, NAB filed an application for reopening of these cases in 2007, which was granted but later these cases were adjourned sine-die in 2010 by the Accountability Court with the direction that the trial could be commenced if an application signed by the Chairman is submitted before the court.

The present Chairman NAB constituted a special committee to revisit all the cases pending against politicians.

The committee recommended filing an application under the signature of Chairman for recommencement of these cases. The special committee is in the process of scrutinizing the remaining cases relating to the politicians and the findings/recommendations would be shared with the media accordingly. (APP)