Interim order against 'anti-NAB' law to continue, observes SHC
Sindh govt has approached SHC requesting it to review decision to accept opposition's petition for hearing
August 22, 2017
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) reiterated on Tuesday its earlier interim order directing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to continue its investigations in the province despite a provincial law on the contrary.
The SHC, hearing a petition by opposition parties last week against the Sindh government's National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 Repeal Bill 2017, had ordered NAB to continue working in the province till the petition is decided.
The court had also sought details of provincial lawmakers who voted for the bill, as well as MPAs and Sindh government officials being investigated by NAB.
Separately, the government submitted on Tuesday a plea to the three-member bench, headed by SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh, requesting it to review its earlier order regarding the jurisdiction of NAB in the province.
The Sindh advocate general, in the application, stated that the Constitution aims to protect the parliamentary processes and the court cannot summon the details of the discussions within the Sindh Assembly.
Articles 69 and 127 of the Constitution provide protection to the parliamentary processes, mentioned the application.
Opposition parties, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)–Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), jointly filed a petition in SHC challenging the controversial law recently enacted by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led provincial government.
On July 3, the Sindh Assembly passed the 'anti-NAB bill', which seeks to revoke NAB’s powers in the province. The bill was vehemently opposed by opposition members of the house. The law strips away NAB's powers to take action against provincial government officials in Sindh.
Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair refused to sign the bill twice and sent it back along with an objection note to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
NAB is presently probing into corruption charges against over 60 bureaucrats and politicians including Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, MPA Faqir Dad Khoso, Sharmila Farooqi, Sharjeel Memon, former chief secretary Siddiq Memon, Aijaz Chaudhry, former Member of Board of Revenue Shazar Shamoon, Secretary Badar Jameel, Ali Ahmed Lond, Managing Director Water Board Hashim Raza Zaidi, former Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, MNA Mir Munawar Talpur, MPA Ali Mardan Shah, former administrator Karachi Rauf Akhter, and Former Chairman Inter Board Anwar Zai.
