Supreme Court orders reopening of corruption cases worth Rs700 billion

ISLAMABAD: In an unexpected move on Friday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to reopen all closed corruption cases that cumulatively involve a sum of over Rs700 billion. This decision came after the court nullified amendments to laws governing NAB made by previous governments.

Documents in possession of the Hum Investigation Unit (HIT) reveal that the order places more than 450 individuals – including former members of parliament, serving and retired officers, and private business owners – back under the scrutiny of the anti-corruption watchdog.

Following the Supreme Court’s directive, 1809 cases encompassing references, investigations, inquiries, and complaints linked to alleged corrupt practices will be revisited. The extensive list includes cases against individuals including 7 previous prime ministers, 14 former chief ministers, and 78 past ministers, along with 176 ex-MPs, 114 officers, and several private business owners.

Following today’s order, NAB would also reopen an inquiry against Interim Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, according to informed officials. NAB Quetta, following NAB new amendments, had recommended closure of an alleged corruption inquiry against him and his family members.

Further, as a political aftermath of the ruling, there is a possibility of reopening corruption cases against 89 former members from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), 62 from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 47 from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), eight from Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and twelve from both the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (Q League) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

Furthermore, individual members from smaller parties such as the Muslim League-Zia, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, National Awami Party, Balochistan National Party, Awami National Party, and the National Party find themselves on the potential list of individuals facing renewed scrutiny under reopened inquiries.

Over the recent period, NAB has initiated 48 new inquiries against members of PTI, adding to the growing list of individuals who will be under investigation following this pivotal court ruling.