ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday barred authorities from transferring and making new appointments in high-profile cases related to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as well as those heard by special courts.
The orders came from the top court during the hearing of a suo motu case on the perceived apprehension of “persons in authority” undermining the criminal justice system.
A five-judge larger bench, comprising CJP Bandial Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the case and issued notices to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director-general, NAB chairman, and interior secretary.
At the outset of today’s hearing, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial expressed concerns over transfers and appointments of officials in high-profile cases refraining prosecution from withdrawing such cases.
The chief justice noted that several officers were transferred from NAB Lahore and FIA, adding that the FIA’s prosecutor in the Lahore High Court was also replaced. The court further maintained that DG FIA Sanaullah Abbasi and director Rizwan were also replaced.
Referring to Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz’s case, CJP Bandial mentioned that the DG FIA barred one of the investigation officers to appear before the court.
“Nobody should interfere during the investigation and in the affairs of the prosecution branch,” the chief justice told the attorney-general.
As per the Constitution, the SC is responsible to maintain peace and an atmosphere of trust in the society, the chief justice remarked.
While referring to recent developments in cases related to the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister, Justice Ijazul Ahsan stated that FIA declared it “routine matters”.
At this, the CJP hoped that the government will cooperate in explaining the steps. As per the media reports, NAB’s record about the criminal cases has started going missing, he said, adding that the watchdog’s record in at least four cases went missing.
The apex court further demanded an explanation regarding the transfer and appointment of an investigation officer in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and son Hamza Shahbaz’s case.
CJP Bandial directed authorities concerned to seal the investigation and prosecution record of all the pending high-profile cases.
The apex court also issued notice to prosecutor generals of all four provinces, head of prosecution FIA and NAB DGs of all provinces.
