ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the National Accountability Bureau to submit its progress report till May 3 over its direction of March 8, regarding progress on implementation of National Reconciliation Ordinance verdict.
A seven-judge bench comprising Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Athar Saeed, resumed hearing of the suo motu case regarding progress on NRO related cases.
The bench directed NAB to take positive steps for repatriation of Malik Qayyum, former attorney general, and also apprise it about the response of the Pakistan Embassy in United Kingdom.
The bench also sought all relevant record of the statements of persons accused in cases of Adnan A. Khawja and Ahmed Riaz Sheikh, two beneficiaries of the NRO.
Shaiq Usmani, counsel for chairman NAB, appeared and submitted a report regarding investigation into these two cases.
He apprised that the inquiry in these cases had been upgraded into investigation and with availability of tangible evidences, the Authority would submit the cases before the Court of law.
To bench's inquiry, he said that they had sent a letter to Prime Minister seeking his response over appointment of Adnan A. Khawaja as chairman OGDCL, to which his principal secretary Khushnood Akhtar Lashari replied by completely denying that the incumbent Prime Minister was aware of any offence, the officer had committed.
However, when the issue came into his knowledge, the notification of Adnan A. Khawaja was withdrawn immediately.
He said that they were investigating accused Khalid Ikhalq, Rung Ali Zia and Ismail Qureshi in appointment of Adnan A. Khawja whereas, Ahsan Raja former additional secretary ministry of interior, Maqbool Ahmed Malik an officer in Establishment Division and Urooj ul Hassan a deputy director in FIA were probed in appointment of Ahmed Riaz Sheikh's case.
To bench's question, he replied that they had recorded statements of all accused and could be produced before the bench.
About Malik Qayyum's case, Shaiq replied that he was currently being treated in UK for his kidneys disease. He was summoned again and again and a questionnaire was sent to him, he added.
He said that they had also sent a letter to Pakistan Embassy in UK and its response has not yet been received.
Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa remarked that if Malik did not come forward then where the finding of the Court would go!
The counsel for NAB chairman said that they could issue red warrant, but were waiting for embassy's response.
Dr Abdul Basit, counsel for Adnan A. Khawaja and Ahmed Riaz Sheikh, rose up and objected to proceedings against his clients.
He contended that Adnan's punishment was suspended by a High Court.
He requested the bench not to monitor progress of NRO cases and let the NAB proceed on its own.
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