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NAB closes inquiries including Sharif Trust Case against Nawaz, family

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  • NAB meeting, held under chairman, decides to close cases. 
  • Probe into Sharif Trust case was authorised in 2000.
  • Five other cases against different people also closed down. 

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has closed six corruption inquiries including the Sharif Trust case filed against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and his family members. 

In a statement issued by the accountability body, the decision was made during the Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of the bureau, held on January 1, 2024, chaired by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt.

NAB said that it got the approval to terminate the Sharif Trust case. The investigation into the case was authorised on March 31, 2000, and the complaint alleged that the Sharif family had received large sums of money through illicit means in the Sharif Trust.

Additionally, it was claimed that the trust’s accounts had not undergone audit scrutiny and that funds had been misappropriated. The allegations further included the acquisition of assets by the Sharif family under the guise of benami properties held in the name of the trust.

In its report submitted to Supreme Court, the joint investigation team (JIT) formed to probe Panama Papers had criticised the NAB for delaying the investigation into the Sharif Trust case without proper justification. 

The JIT recommended that the NAB be directed to take swift action to complete the investigation.

Now, the bureau has terminated the investigation under Section 31-B of the National Accountability Act, 2022, as amended by the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government.

Section 31B states: “Withdrawal and Termination of Pending Proceedings: (1) Prior to the filing of a reference, the Chairman, NAB, in consultation with the Prosecutor General, may, having regard to the totality of facts, circumstances, and evidence, partly, wholly, conditionally, or unconditionally withdraw or terminate any proceedings under this Act if such proceedings are unjustified. 

“(2) After the filing of a reference, if the Chairman, NAB, in consultation with the Prosecutor General, is of the view that the reference is partly or wholly unjustified, he may recommend to the Court for approval where the matter is pending that the reference may partly or wholly be withdrawn or terminated, and upon such withdrawal or termination: (i) if it is made before a charge has been framed, the accused shall be discharged in respect of such offence or offences; and (ii) if it is made after a charge has been framed, he shall be acquitted in respect of such offence or offences.”

Other than that, NAB also closed the Safe City corruption case against Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan and the Park Enclave Housing Society case against officers/officials of Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The accountability body also terminated the inquiries against the federal government officials regarding illegal appointments of favoured individuals, inquiries against Shahid Malik, Shahbaz Yaseen Malik, Saima Shehbaz Malik, and others. 

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The PPP requests the image of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on currency notes.

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The resolution was passed during a seminar named ‘Bhutto Reference and History’, which focused on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The resolution praised the Supreme Court’s admission that the PPP founder’s trial, which resulted in his execution, was unfair and urged that the federal government confer on him the title of “Quaid-e-Awam” (Leader of the People) and the highest civilian honor, Nishan-e-Pakistan.

Aside from demanding that Bhutto’s image be used on currency notes, the resolution also asked for the construction of a fitting monument in his honor and the designation of his mausoleum as a national shrine.

Furthermore, it demands for the reversal of Bhutto’s unjust death sentence and the creation of a “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Award” for democracy activists who have given their lives for the cause.

In March, the National Assembly passed a resolution characterizing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial as judicial murder.

The Supreme Court released its reserved opinion on the presidential reference against the ‘controversial’ death sentence imposed on PPP founder, stating that the former prime minister was denied a “fair trial”.

A nine-judge court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa revealed its decision on the long-pending presidential reference to determine if it can reconsider its verdict, which the PPP and jurists perceive as a historic error.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sentenced to death under former military dictator General (retired) Ziaul Haq’s administration.

The first elected prime minister of the country was charged with the murder of a political competitor, Nawab Mohammed Ahmed Qasuri, and a trial was held.

Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, despite requests and appeals for leniency and pity from various heads of state.

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The ‘clinics on wheels’ initiative is introduced by CM Maryam.

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Punjab is heading toward progress and prosperity, according to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the ‘clinics on wheels’ project celebration, the chief minister emphasized how this project will improve public health and change the health system.

She emphasized that all of the essential medical facilities were included in the Clinics on Wheels scheme. There would be multiple locations for the 200 mobile clinics. Gynecology services, screenings, immunizations, and medical testing will all be offered at the clinics.

There will be ultrasound equipment available at 50 of the 200 mobile clinic locations. Up to 4 million people will be helped by this endeavor, especially in places without hospital services.

First choice for local physicians to volunteer for this project will be granted to those from 36 districts. Consideration is also being given to the lack of paramedical and nursing personnel.

The project, which was started by Nawaz Sharif and put on hold by the previous administration, is being restarted, according to the chief minister. According to her, her government’s goal is to deliver healthcare right to people’s doors.

Additionally, she revealed that eight districts in Punjab would have the construction of modern cardiology hospitals.

With Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Imran Nazir, and Health Secretary Ali Khan in attendance, CM Maryam officially launched the clinics on wheels project.

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Governor-rule attempt that is intolerable: Gandapur

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Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of KP denounced the incident on May 9 and promised that those in charge will face national scrutiny.

While eight FIRs have been filed against him in eight different districts, Gandapur stressed that none of the accusations have been validated.

Proving he was going nowhere without a fight, Gandapur issued a warning against tampering with democracy.

Any attempt to obstruct progress will be greeted with strong resistance, he warned, so avoid using disruptive tactics.

Gandapur declared, “We will seize the governor’s mansion and I will not keep quiet about the chief minister’s seat if governor law is imposed.”

With the media there to ensure transparency, the Chief Minister boldly challenged his predecessor, Pervez Khattak, to participate in a public discussion in the Kaaba.

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