SHC directs NAB to file reference against Sindh Assembly speaker by June 11

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file reference against Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani by June 11.

As the hearing went under way, the NAB investigator told the court, that the NAB chairman has given the approval to file a reference against Durrani and others accused. The reference will be filed against the accused on Thursday.

The investigative officer further told the court that that investigation against Durrani and others has been completed. “We have traced 35 cars and properties worth millions owned by the accused. Durrani used his powers for illegal appointments, accumulating assets beyond means and embezzlement of funds.”

To this Durrani’s lawyer told the court, that his client is in court and his bail petition should be heard.

“How can we hear the bail petition if nothing has been brought forward,” the Sindh High Court chief justice remarked. “On what basis will we give a verdict? Once the reference has been filed, we will hear it.”

The court then ordered the accountability watchdog to file a reference and by June 11 and to present a report.

On February 20, NAB officials arrested Durrani, who was under investigation in three cases pertaining to illegal appointments, accumulating assets beyond means, and embezzlement of funds, from a private hotel in Islamabad.

NAB had initiated three separate inquiries against Durrani last year for allegedly owning assets beyond means, illegally recruiting 352 individuals on various government positions and embezzlement of funds for the construction of the MPA Hostel and construction of the new Sindh Assembly building.