NAB amendments: Accountability court grants relief to former finmin Hafeez Shaikh
Pakistan
Accused have caused loss of 11 million dollars to exchequer, alleged NAB
KARACHI (Dunya News) - An Accountability Court on Wednesday granted relief to former federal finance minister (finmin) Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and others accused in a corruption case.
The case about the development of software for Port Qasim and other ports was heard in Karachi's accountability court.
In its verdict on the jurisdictional application, the court accepted the plea of the accused and directed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference be returned to the NAB chairman.
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The defense argued that following amendments passed by the parliament, the accountability court no longer has jurisdiction to hear the case.
The court further stated that the prosecution lacked evidence showing that the accused received financial benefits. The court added that it was a prerequisite for the NAB reference.
Former federal minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and others are charged with abuse of power and corruption, according to NAB.
The accused are alleged to have caused a loss beating 11 million dollars to the national treasury. The NAB filed a reference for recovery.
The NAB reference named Azhar Majeed Khalid, Abdullah Yousuf, Aamir Zafar, and Irfan Sarfaraz as co-accused.
