Speedy justice: SC directs NAB to conduct hearing of corruption cases on daily basis

(Karachi) As part of measures to provide speedy justice, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to conduct hearing of corruption cases on a daily basis.

The instructions from the top court comes during the hearing of a case related to Lakhra Power Plant corruption. The court directed NAB court Karachi to decide about the case within a week.

While issuing orders, the SC remarked that the process of recording evidence should be expedited and completed as soon as possible. It also ordered NAB to avoid delay in the under trial references filed in different cases.

The court further directed the chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to proceed with disciplinary action against those officials responsible for delaying the trial of the cases.

The Supreme Court also directed the anti-graft body to ensure the production of all the witnesses in the cases, besides taking effective measures for strengthening the prosecution.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan asked the state institutions, including NAB and judiciary to speed up the process and take the cases to their logical end.

He said that delay in deciding cases cannot be tolerated and those involved in corruption should be punished.

Meanwhile, NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said the NAB is determined to root out corruption with renewed vigor and determination.

He expressed satisfaction over the performance of operation and prosecution divisions and all regional bureaus and directed them to pursue under-trial cases after complete preparation on the basis of solid evidence as per law.

The NAB chairman said the anti-graft body is an apex anti-corruption national institution having no affiliation with any individual, group, or party but with the state.

The NAB chairman directed all regional bureaus to ensure complaint verification, inquiries and investigations on merit and as per law.

Supreme Court directs accountability courts to wrap up cases as soon as possible.