SC bars NAB from exercising ‘voluntary return' powers

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday stopped the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from using its powers under which the anti-corruption watchdog can drop charges against unscrupulous through voluntary return and plea bargain deals. 

The ruling came during the hearing of a case pertaining to illegal appointments in the NAB. During the hearing, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali remarked even the court was not entitled to exercise the powers NAB was using under plea bargain and voluntary return.

The chief justice said the country had become laughing stock in the foreign countries due to such laws.

Justice Amir Hani Mulsim said the NAB received 25 percent of the money returned through plea bargain.  Prosecutor General NAB, however, denied that the NAB gets 25 percent.

Justice Ameer Hani Muslim said NAB chairman was more powerful with respect to appointments than the chief executive of the country.