Transfer order of NAB director suspended

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Monday suspended the transfer order of director investigation and reissued notices to the chairman National Accountability Bureau and director general, NAB Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa, to submit reply in a petition challenging the appointment of the DG NAB-KP.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Sabitullah, heard the petition while petitioner Ghazi Rahman was represented by Shumail Ahmad Butt and Haris Khan. Deputy prosecutor general appeared for the NAB.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that his client serves as the director of investigation at the NAB and his promotion was due, but an inquiry was initiated against him the same day, allegedly to stop his promotion.

He argued that a false inquiry was launched to block his client’s career progress.The lawyer pleaded that the court in the previous hearing had restrained NAB from taking discriminatory action against the petitioner. However, despite this, NAB transferred the petitioner on February 4. In his arguments, Shumail Butt said that NAB initiated two more inquiries against the petitioner on February 4 in a bid to hinder his career.He argued that it was a common practice for departments to take action against employees, who approached the court for justice.