Pakpattan case: SC accepts Nacta chief's refusal to head JIT

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an interim order, accepting the excuse of National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) chief Khaliq Dad Lak from heading a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in Pakpattan land case.

According to details, a bench comprising three judges, headed by Chief Jutsice Saqib Nisar, heard the case of illegal transfer of a piece of land belonging to the Auqaf department in Punjab’s Pakpattan district in 1985.

The apex court bench excused the Nacta chief and appointed Directer General (DG) Anti-Corruption Establishment of Lahore Asghar Khan to lead the JIT in the case.

Further, the top court ordered to include two officials each from the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) in the JIT, while directing it to submit its terms of references (ToRs) within ten days.

As per the interim order, after submission of ToRs, the JIT will be given a final time duration to investigate the case and present a report.

The hearing was adjourned until January 8.

On Dec 27, the chief of Nacta declined to head a JIT to probe into former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s role as Punjab chief minister in illegal transfer of 14,394 kanals of Auqaf land some 30 years back.

Khalid Dad cited personal reasons behind his inability to undertake the key task.

“Khaliq Dad’s excuse is based on the truth. He can’t be forced. The Supreme Court bench is satisfied with him,” Justice Nisar remarked while accepting his plea.