CJP says across the board accountability imperative

LONDON: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar said on Tuesday that an across the board accountability is imperative for the progress of Pakistan and that no nation can develop without fairness in investigations and trials.

Speaking to Geo News in London, Justice Nisar said, “We cannot let the taxpayers' money be looted off. We cannot allow corrupt practises anymore. I firmly believe that accountability should be across the board.”

He added, “Tens of millions of rupees have been laundered out of Pakistan and a system of crackdown needs to be there. We need to bring back the looted wealth and spend it on development in Pakistan."

He added,  the Supreme Court has taken many steps with help from the Federal Investigation Agency, Federal Board of Revenue, State Bank, Finance Division to curb money laundering.  “The State Bank of Pakistan has created a team to look into bank accounts and how to bring it back and a report will be submitted within a week.”

When asked about the harsh National Accountability Bureau tactics against the accused, Justice Nisar said, there is always room for improvement and steps have to be taken without that legislature.

On the subjects of dams construction, the apex judge said that he is overwhelmed by the by the response he has received from British Pakistanis during the fundraising events.

He praised the owners of Bestway Group, Sir Anwar Pervez and Zameer Choudrey for playing their part in the SC’s drive for water preservation.

He added, “I apologise to the Bestway Group who were unfortunate victims of my judicial activism. You have been very gracious and I am thankful for that. We set a deadline of November 6 and you assured me that you will modernise your plants and not take water from the tube wells.”

“You also gave Rs1 billion in and have performed exceptionally well and delivered exactly what you had committed well before the deadline. This is the kind of pure love and passion that I have received from overseas Pakistanis,” he added.

The top judge continued, “Dams construction is not only possible only through donations. Pakistan needed expertise and advice through many means on this matter and I invite overseas Pakistanis to come forward and take part in it.”