Appointments in 56 Punjab cos: NAB asked to submit report

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present a detailed report on appointments in 56 companies of Punjab involving billions of rupees corruption.

On June 3, 2018, then Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had reprimanded the then Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif after he failed to satisfy the court regarding the hiring and payment of high salaries to government officials appointed as heads of 56 companies.

After a long hiatus, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial heard a case of alleged mega corruption of up to Rs 80 billion in 56 companies. Justice Ijazul Ahsan, a member of the bench, asked NAB whether it has any updated report pertaining to the case.

Faisal Chaudhry, the counsel for NAB, said that it had submitted a report at the start of the case and then after no report has been given.

Justice Bandial said that NAB should give the report keeping in view the replies given by the officer in the matter, as they have submitted detailed replies.

The counsel for the officer Khawja Tariq Raheem said that the appointment process was completed after advertising the posts in the media that was followed by interviews.

Justice Bandial told the counsel that the officers have attached documents with their replies which will be reviewed by the court to ascertain whether the appointments were on merit or on the basis of nepotism.

"The court will also review whether any leniency was shown in making the appointments in these companies," he added. Justice Bandial observed that the court is also seeking replies from the provincial government about appointments of the officers.

The bench ordered to provide the replies submitted by the officers to the Punjab government while NAB and Punjab government should give their reports on the appointments. The hearing was adjourned for four weeks.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019