ISLAMABAD
Chief Justice (CJ) Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah has remarked Pervez Musharraf assets case is test case for NAB and it is NAB responsibility to dispel the impression that only the elected representatives are held accountable.
He gave these remarks while presiding over a 2-member bench of IHC during the hearing of NAB chairman Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal contempt of court case on the matter of inquiry into the assets of former president Pervez Musharraf here Monday.
The petitioner Col (Retd) Inam ul Rahim advocate appeared before the court Monday.
NAB filed inquiry report on Pervez Musharraf assets.
The CJ IHC remarked it is responsibility of NAB to dispel the impression that only elected representatives are held accountable. Musharraf was not from armed forces but he was public office holder. Pervez Musharraf case is a test case for NAB. According to NAB record has been received from election commission, FBR and the respective departments.
NAB prosecutor told the court ML have been sent in respect of two foreign properties and accounts. Reply is awaited from abroad. Questioner and assets proforma have been sent to Muaharraf.
The counsel for Musharraf told he is suffering from multiple diseases. Inquiry against Musharraf is underway since March 15, 2018. The record of Musharraf assets was obtained. Inquiry against Musharraf will be completed as per law. Reports of suspicious transactions have also been sought.
CJ IHC remarked NAB is answerable to the people. It should restore their confidence. Why the inquiries against Musharraf are kept pending for several years.
NAB prosecutor told the court several times reply is not given to us from foreign countries.
The court remarked “we will not interfere in NAB inquiry.
The defence counsel said if there is any politician then JIT is constituted. This is matter of a general.
Court remarked Pervez Musharraf is not a general and he is a politician. We will not allow to deliver political speech here. We say that the inquiry be finalized within a month. What should we do more
The court inquired when the inquiry against Pervez Musharraf can be completed.
NAB prosecutor replied to the court we will present report before court till one month. Inquiry into 29 properties of Pervez Musharraf is underway. We will initiate proceedings as per law.
The defence counsel said Musharraf wrote in his book he obtained money by handing over men outside the country. This admission of Musharraf was enough. Reply from any MLA is not needed.
The court remarked every public office holder is answerable to the people and NAB too is answerable to people rather than court.
