SC hears NLC corruption case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday conducted hearing of National Logistics Cell (NLC) corruption case.

A three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja conducted the proceedings.

During the course of hearing, Justice Qazi Faiz Essa told the court that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on August 6 received a letter from the Army Chief, saying the officials were found involved in irregularities.

He asked as to what steps did the NAB undertook in this regard?

Justice Qazi said termination from service does not absolve the culprits from civil and criminal liability. “Did NAB seek the details of corruption in writing from the NLC inquiry committee?” he asked.

He further questioned as to what achievements NAB has made in connection with the NLC case.

In response, the Prosecutor told the court that the NAB had written a letter to General Headquarters but the latter did not reply to it.

The Pakistan Army on August 5 awarded punishment to two accused retired generals in light of finding of an inquiry into the National Logistic Cell (NLC) embezzlement scandal.

Maj Gen (retd) Khalid Zahir Akhter was “Dismissed from Service”, which implies; forfeiture of rank, decorations, medals, honours, awards, seizure of pension, recovery of personal gains, cancellation of service benefits and all other allied facilities including medical etc.

Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Afzal Muzaffar, on the other hand, was awarded “Severe Displeasure (Recordable)” which in essence is a disciplinary award due to an offence of lesser degree i.e. violation of procedures but no personal gains.

Whereas, Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Munir Khan was not found involved in any financial irregularity or serious misconduct and therefore absolved from all charges.