Notice to AGP, other parties on petition against NAB Amendment Act

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday issued notice to the Attorney General and other parties on the petition against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Ordinance 2024.

A hearing was held in IHC with objections on the petition filed against the NAB Amendment Ordinance 2024, in which Chief Justice Aamer Farooq removed the objections on the petition.

Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner, citizen Malik Najiullah.

During the hearing, the lawyer told the court that in the new amendment ordinance, the period of remand has been extended from 14 to 40 days and the sentence of the officer who prosecuted the case for malice has been reduced from five to two years. Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has amended NAB laws three times, now this new amendment ordinance has come which has not been presented in the parliament.

The lawyer further stated in his arguments that remanding for more than 14 days is a violation of basic human rights. Why the sentence of the officer who made a false case based on malice is only two years? The accused in NAB references serve sentences of 14 years, which is cruel. The amendment ordinance should be withdrawn immediately, as it was also passed without taking it to Parliament. It is against the purpose of the law.

Chief Justice IHC remarked that the important question is whether the Acting President can pass the ordinance or not.

The court issued notices to the Attorney General and other parties, directing them to look at the decisions of the Supreme Court and the IHC regarding the Presidential Ordinances and sought their response.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till August 6.