In Islamabad, the Supreme Court has ruled against the NAB amendment that sought to redefine benami assets, assets exceeding one’s income, and shift the burden of proof onto the prosecution.
As a result of this decision, the cases related to Asif Ali Zardari’s alleged fake accounts will be transferred back to the Accountability Court, and former Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi’s LNG case may move from the Special Judge Central to the Accountability Court.
Furthermore, the Tosha Khana case involving Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, and Yusuf Raza Gilani will also be returned to the accountability court. The NAB reference against Murad Ali Shah will follow suit. Similarly, the kidney hill reference against Salim Mandviwala and the case regarding assets exceeding income against Ishaq Dar will be reverted to the accountability court.
Additionally, the cases concerning rental power allegations against former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf will be reinstated.
The matter of the NAB Amendment Case was addressed by government lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan on September 9, responding to a question posed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, conveyed through a judicial assistant. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah had suggested the formation of a full court to deliberate on the NAB amendments.
The Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had filed a petition against the NAB amendments, leading to 53 hearings conducted by the Supreme Court on this matter.
It is noteworthy that this decision coincides with Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial’s last day on the bench before his retirement. The Supreme Court’s three-member panel includes Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in addition to the Chief Justice.
