Pak SC rejects NAB report, calls chairman’s appointment ‘violation of court verdict’

ISLAMABAD - Hearing the Pakistan government’s review plea against the NRO verdict and implementation of the NRO judgement case, the Supreme Court called the recent appointment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman another violation of the apex court’s verdict, and also expressed dissatisfaction over the NAB report on the steps taken for implementation of the NRO verdict.

“I’m using the words carefully, but this is another departure,” the Daily Times quoted Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, as saying.

He added that prima facie, the appointment of Deedar Hussain as the NAB chairman was another violation of the apex court’s December 16, 2009 verdict declaring the NRO void ab initio.

Deedar had not been appointed according to the court’s judgement in the Asfandyar Wali case wherein it had been held that consultation with the CJP was vital for the appointment of NAB chairman, he pointed out, and subsequently directed Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to explain the matter regarding Deedar’s appointment on the next hearing.

The 17-member bench also expressed dissatisfaction over a report of NAB on the steps taken for implementation of the NRO verdict, which had been submitted two days back.

It directed the NAB chairman to submit a fresh report with documentary evidence, besides providing list of the prisoners who had been released after the promulgation of the ordinance. (ANI)