SC rejects NAB Amendments

Islamabad: The Supreme Court Friday declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's petition against NAB amendments admissible.

According to details, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial pronounced the reserved verdict on the appeal of Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan.

The court announced the written verdict with 2-1 majority. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah contradicted with the decision.

It is pertinent to note that PTI chief Imran Khan had filed a petition against the NAB amendments.

The Supreme Court held 53 hearings on the petition of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial had reserved the decision of the case on September 05 and in this regard, Justice Umar Atta said that he will decide this important case before retirement.

The three-member bench of Supreme Court includes Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.

Court verdict

It has been said in the court verdict that petition against NAB amendments is declared admissible. The clause to exclude references up to Rs500 million from the scope of NAB is declared null and void. However, the clauses to file a reference against the Service of Pakistan are maintained.

The court said in its decision that the cases of all persons sitting in public positions are restored. NAB amendments related to the termination of reference of public positions are declared null and void. The first amendment of section 10 and section 14 of the NAB amendments is null and void.

The court reinstated all the cases that were closed below the limit of 500 million and said that all closed inquiries, cases are reinstated and should be rescheduled in NAB courts and accountability courts.

Supreme Court has invalidated 9 out of 10 amendments of NAB amendments and ordered the NAB to send all the records to the concerned courts within seven days.

It has been stated by the court that orders given by the accountability courts in the light of NAB amendments made regarding the plea bargain are declared invalid.

The court said in its decision that rights enshrined in the constitution of public interest have been affected by NAB amendments, all investigations and inquiries closed under the NAB amendments should be restored.

It should be noted that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM government made NAB amendments, on which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had filed a petition against the NAB amendments.

Notably, the Parliament had made amendments in sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 25 and 26 of the NAB Act, in addition to the amendments in sections 14, 15, 21 and 23 of the NAB Act.