Sharjeel Memon sought in corruption inquiries, NAB informs SHC

KARACHI: The former information minister of Sindh, Sharjeel Memon, is required in corruption inquiries, including embezzlement of billions of rupees in the provincial Information Department, the National Accountability Bureau's counsel told the Sindh High Court on Thursday.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the former information minister and PPP MPA, Sharjeel Inam Memon, against initiation of corruption inquiries and placement of his name in the Exit Control List.

The PPP leader, who is living in self-exile in London after law-enforcement agencies launched a crackdown against politicians and bureaucrats for corruption, submitted through his attorney, Mazhar Hussain Pitafi, that he came to know through the media that the NAB had initiated an inquiry against him on corruption during his tenure.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that neither the petitioner was involved in corrupt practices nor had he ever misused his power during his tenure as a minister of the provincial government.

Inam submitted that attempts were being made to implicate him in fake inquires for offences that he had not committed and sought protection against any coercive action. He requested the court to restrain the NAB from arresting him in connection with any inquiry or taking any coercive action.

NAB's counsel Noor Mohammad Dayo submitted that the former information minister was required in corruption inquiries into embezzlement of billions of rupees in the provincial Information Department.

He submitted the NAB had sufficient evidence in the matter and Inam could be interrogated or charged on arrival in the country. On the PPP leader’s another petition against the placement of his name in the Exit Control List, the court directed the petitioner's counsel to submit the travelling documents on petitioner’s return to the country. The petitioner submitted that his name was placed on the ECL without giving any reason and despite various attempts, the memorandum for placing his name on the ECL was not being provided to him by the FIA authorities.

It is pertinent to mention here that the interior ministry has placed the name of the petitioner in the ECL on the recommendation of the NAB on the charge of misuse of power.