ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has reportedly sent references against several politicians back to accountability courts following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down certain sections of the amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) last year.
According to sources, NAB held an emergency meeting after the Supreme Court’s verdict on a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan challenging the amendments to the NAO. During the meeting, NAB submitted an application to return the references against politicians to the accountability courts. Reportedly, the NAB Chairman approved the submission of this application.
The references involve prominent politicians, including former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, former president Asif Zardari, and former finance minister Ishaq Dar. The accountability courts will now receive these references once again.
The Supreme Court’s majority 2-1 verdict in favor of Imran Khan’s petition challenged amendments to the country’s accountability laws, leading to the restoration of corruption cases against public representatives. The decision invalidated some sections of the amendments made to the accountability laws by the previous coalition government.
These cases include the Toshakhana reference against Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, and Yousuf Raza Gilani, the LNG reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the rental power reference against Raja Pervez Ashraf, and the assets beyond means case against Ishaq Dar. These cases will now resume in the accountability courts.
In June 2022, the former prime minister filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance under the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022.
