ISLAMABAD
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday allowed Opposition Leader in National Assembly (NA) Khurshid Shah to become party in the NAB chairman’s appointment case and sought reply until April 14.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, took up the case.
Justice Hussain said, “No one should remain under any delusion. The court has to give decision with respect to chairman NAB. The court has given observation on appointment of chairman NAB. It is better opposition leader should be party so that review could not be made. No one would have any objection if government and opposition had jointly selected a neutral person. Prime facie if any consultation takes place in this matter then we will give decision after asking from the opposition leader in details. Therefore, it is better he is heard earlier.”
Justice Dost Muhammad Khan said, “We cannot accept corruption on any count in this country. NAB has been placed under the law minister through an amendment in the law.
Hamid Khan, counsel for PTI Chairman Imran Khan; Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for Khurshid Shah; and petitioner Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi appeared in the court.
Naqvi requested that NAB ordinance has been violated in the NAB head’s appointment.
Justice Hussain said, “Don’t say this as they are elected representatives.”
Justice Khan said, “If you have to make start this way then how can we hear you ahead.”
Justice Hussain said, “Use proper words about Khurshid Shah. Aitzaz Ahsan has objection over what type of words you are using.”
Naqvi said Khurshid Shah should be made party in this case. Ahsan also requested the same on behalf of Shah.
In the meantime, the court also took up for hearing KP local bodies’ case. The KP advocate general told the court that situation has been changed abruptly in the wake of the court’s orders.
“I am waiting now what reply the other provinces give on the orders of court. The government is reviewing the effects of court’s decision. Time be given for filing reply in this regard,” he added.
The court allowed him two weeks to present his reply.
