SHC directs NAB to wind up decade long probes in two months

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday took exception over non-completion of decade long inquiries pending with National Accountability Bureau and directed the anti graft body to complete those pending for the last 14 years within two months.

Hearing bail petitions from those involved in the NAB inquiries, SHC’s division bench headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh inquired from the NAB’s director general if he is satisfied with the performance of his department as several inquires are pending for last many years. The NAB DG submitted that it was due to interim stay orders from the high court. The court directed the NAB to complete the pending inquiries within two months and submit a compliance report. The NAB in its report said as many as 155 inquiries are pending with the bureau for the last 14 years.

In another case pertaining to cheating public at large by false housing societies, the court inquired from the NAB prosecutor as when the joint investigation team investigation will be completed in fake accounts case as several investigation officers were assisting the court due to engagement with that investigation. The NAB director operations submitted that some investigation officers were assigned more investigations but assured that the pending inquiries will not be delayed. The court directed the NAB to complete the inquiry against Abdul Salam and others within two weeks.