IHC extends interim bail of Sharjeel

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday extended the interim bail of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s leader Sharjeel Inam Memon till February 11 in Sindh Roshan Programme corruption case.

Division bench of Islamabad High Court comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Lubna Saleem Pervaiz conducted hearing on bail petition of Sharjeel Memon.

During hearing, Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah questioned NAB official regarding the date of an inquiry launched against Roshan Sindh programme.

To this, NAB official replied that the anti-corruption watchdog launched the inquiry on February 4, 2019.

“Why this inquiry is not reached to a conclusion? The court should be informed regarding the outcomes of the inquiry,” remarked CJ IHC.

Justice Minallah remarked whether NAB wants to kill or torture Sharjeel Memon. NAB officer replied that the institution wanted to fulfill legal requirements in the case.

“Basic rights cannot be taken away by arresting Sharjeel Memon as he is not running away. The institution should take the decision in view of the NAB ordinance.”

Accused’s Counsel Latif Khosa pleaded that they had given application to quash inquiry against his client under NAB Ordinance. NAB wanted to arrest Memon in Solar penal case, he said.

He argued that Sharjeel Memon had only forwarded the summary of Sindh Roshan Programme being a provincial minister. His client was not a member of committee who approved this project, he said.

The Chief Justice expressed displeasure with NAB and expressed if punishing anyone was the responsibility of NAB then the courts should be closed.

The court ordered the NAB investigation officer to assist IHC after completing preparations in the next hearing. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till February 11.

In his petition Sharjeel Memon requested IHC to declare the probe null and void, as well as pleaded the high court to immediately stop the further proceedings in the corruption case. The petition also stated that he was not accused of taking bribery in the Roshan Sindh programme.