- Arrest warrants were issued for Shoro by the anti-graft body
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday granted protective bail to former Sindh minister for local government Jam Khan Shoro.
Earlier during the day, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader had approached the SHC for protective bail after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) issued arrest warrants for alleged involvement in corruption during his tenure.
A two-judge bench of the SHC took up the ex-minister’s plea when his counsel said that the anti-graft body wants to take his client into custody.
“We were issued a call-up notice in June,” he said.
To this, NAB officials said, “Shoro was involved in corruption in the allotment of plots in Karachi Development Authority.”
The court then asked NAB officials, “If you have arrest warrants then will he be detained from the court premises?”
The SHC then granted protective bail to the ex-minister and asked him to furnish bail bonds worth Rs1 million.
Earlier, a NAB spokesperson said, “Shoro was involved in corruption in the local government,” adding that “teams have been formed in order to make the arrest of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader”.
The anti-graft body had initiated a probe against former Sindh minister in October 2017 for allegedly occupying government land.
Earlier in July, the acceptance of nomination forms of Jam Khan Shoro for PS-62 Qasimabad constituency was challenged in Sindh High Court (SHC).
The court had issued notices to the respondents including Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), returning officer (RO) of PS-62, Shoro and other respondents to submit reply on July 17.
The petitioner, Mehboob Abro had claimed that Shoro is not qualified to contest the elections. He alleged that the former provincial minister was involved in forging the land record and for failing to declare his assets.
Abro had prayed the court to set aside decisions of the RO and the Election Tribunal Karachi and disqualify Shoro.