In compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive to reinstate corruption cases against public office holders, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has submitted a dossier of corruption references to an accountability court in Islamabad.
Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir has instructed the court registrar to review the case records and present them for his examination.
Judge Bashir has also asked NAB prosecutors to evaluate the legal aspects of these cases, acknowledging the differences in nature between cases involving private individuals, public office holders, and government employees.
NAB prosecutors Sohail Arif and Sardar Muzaffar appeared in the accountability court to provide the judge with an update on the reopening of these cases.
Judge Bashir emphasized to the prosecutors, “You must determine which cases fall within this court’s jurisdiction and which do not.”
NAB prosecutor Abbasi assured the judge that the anti-graft watchdog would diligently follow the Supreme Court’s order and submit all pertinent records to the court.
On September 15, in a 2-1 majority decision, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court approved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s petition, challenging amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s tenure.
Under the leadership of then-Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, the bench ordered the reinstatement of all graft cases previously closed against political leaders and public office holders, declaring the amendments null and void.
In light of this, the anti-corruption watchdog sent a letter to the accountability court registrar in the federal capital in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Last week, NAB Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt convened a consultative meeting to chart the future course of action.
These cases will be reopened against former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Yousuf Raza Gillani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shehbaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former president Asif Ali Zardari, former chief ministers of Sindh and Punjab, as well as numerous former federal and provincial ministers, as reported by The News.
Sources also indicate that the fake accounts cases against Zardari and the rental power plants case against Ashraf have been reopened. Additionally, the Toshakhana vehicles cases against Zardari, Nawaz, and Gillani will undergo reinvestigation.
Other politicians who will face cases include former chief minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, former finance minister Miftah Ismail, and former finance minister Senator Ishaq Dar for accumulating assets beyond their known sources of income.
