In a pivotal development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has reserved its verdict on the challenge to amendments made to the National Accountability law. The case was heard by a three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Bandial noted that the court would issue a “short and sweet” verdict on the matter in the near future.
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The case revolves around a plea filed by the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, contesting the amendments made to the National Accountability law. Imran Khan’s counsel, Khawaja Haris, informed the court that numerous pending cases had been affected by these amendments.
Chief Justice Bandial raised a crucial question during the hearing, inquiring whether the amendments included provisions for referring cases to other relevant forums. Haris responded by highlighting that the changes had curtailed NAB’s authority both in handling cases and in transferring them to other relevant bodies.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah interjected at one point, stating that there shouldn’t be a requirement for a law to direct the referral of cases to other forums. He emphasized that the primary reason for the petition submitted to the Supreme Court was to address issues related to accountability.
Chief Justice Bandial expressed concern about the lack of clarity regarding crimes and the potential misuse of state institutions for corrupt practices, describing it as “upsetting.”
Following the discussion, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on the matter. Chief Justice Bandial assured that the court would deliver a concise and definitive verdict soon.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) (Second Amendment) Bill 2021, which is at the center of this case, introduced significant changes to the NAB law. Notably, the bill stipulates that NAB’s deputy chairman, appointed by the federal government, would become the acting chairman upon the completion of the chairman’s tenure. It also reduced the chairman’s term from four years. Additionally, the bill restricts NAB from taking action on federal, provincial, or local tax matters and sets a three-year term for accountability court judges. Importantly, it obligates NAB to ensure the availability of evidence against an accused before arrest. These amendments have generated significant debate and legal challenges, ultimately leading to the case heard by the Supreme Court.
