NAB barred from harassment

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday barred the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from extending harassment to Abdul Aleem Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and also asked the leader to cooperate with the anti-corruption watchdog in terms of inquiries regarding his housing schemes.

Aleem Khan had challenged an inquiry initiated by the NAB against his housing scheme. Advocates Khwaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim and Azhar Siddique represented Aleem Khan before a division bench.

They argued that the NAB had opened inquiry against the petitioner’s housing scheme thrice, however, each time closed them for finding no evidence. They said under the relevant law an inquiry closed three times could not be opened again. They said the NAB violated the stay order and continued inquiry against the petitioner on political consideration.

NAB counsel argued that Aleem Khan had not appeared before the investigating team even for once. At this, the petitioner’s counsel stated that the court had suspended the summons issued by the NAB. The bureau’s counsel urged the court to withdraw the stay granted to the petitioner.

The bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi turned down the NAB’s plea, however, directed the petitioner to cooperate with the investigating team. The bench also restrained the bureau from extending harassment to the petitioner during the inquiry. The bench adjourned hearing until April 2.