ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan questioned why the military was exempted under the new National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law as this exemption was not even available to judges.
The apex court raised this question before the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) legal counsel and also said that why did Imran Khan not point out the exclusion of military in the petition against the latest NAB amendments.
A three member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, was hearing a petition of PTI Chief Imran Khan against the new NAB amendments which the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government enforced in July this year.
PTI’s counsel Khawaja Haris told the apex court that the nature of the offense was altered through the amendment. He said that now assets beyond means case can only be investigated if commission of corruption is established.
CJP Bandial asked the legal counsel if other laws also apply to the aforesaid crimes.
Corruption and dishonesty are part and parcel of assets-beyond-means cases, Bandial said.
During the hearing, CJP Bandial inquired how the amended NAB law was against public interests.
The chief justice remarked that you are linking individual benefits with the rights of society.
“What will happen if the cases go to other forums?” he asked.
The counsel representing the PTI said they are only objecting to the application of the law on past cases as it facilitates mega money launderers.
Meanwhile, Justice Ijazul Ahsan of the apex court questioned if anyone was left who had not been exempt under the NAB law. Further hearing of the case was adjourned until Monday.
