LHC rejects request to stop NAB chief from performing duty

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday turned down a plea to restrain National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal from performing his duty, ARY News reported.

Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan of the high court rejected an application filed by Advocate AK Dogar in the main petition he had moved earlier challenging formation of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The hearing of the petition was adjourned till April 4.

Earlier, the petitioner had contended in his petition that there is no provision in the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 for formation of a bureau. It was stipulated in the ordinance that the chairman of NAB shall be appointed by the president in consultation with the leader of house and the leader of the opposition, but it was enacted anywhere how the bureau shall be formed.

He, therefore, pleaded to the court to declare formation of the present bureau and all its actions illegal. The court was further prayed to set aside sentences awarded to accused persons, including the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader, under the NAB law.

Earlier on March 19, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on a petition filed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif challenging the Islamabad High Court’s verdict dismissing his bail application in Al-Azizia corruption reference.

The three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khan Khosa put off the hearing until March 26.