NAB amendments case hearing: Imran Khan allowed to attend via video link

ISLAMABAD:  The Supreme Court (SC) allowed PTI founder Imran Khan to attend court proceedings in the NAB amendments case via video link.

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On September 15, 2023, the Supreme Court of Pakistan struck down amendments made to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws as it announced its reserved verdict on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s plea.

A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa and including Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Hassan Azhar is hearing the govt’s pleas challenging the NAB amendments verdict. At the outset of the hearing, the NAB prosecutor general said the bureau will adopt the arguments of the federal government in this case.

Justice Minallah remarked it has been told that the PTI founder wants to appear in this case. “How can a respondent be barred from attending court proceedings?” This is a matter of basic fundamental rights, he said.

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CJP Isa said that Adiala jail superintendent was asked to make arrangements for the video link appearance of the former premier Imran Khan. This is not a matter related to a person but it is a matter of law and justice, he said.

The federal government filed the review plea in the NAB amendments case under the SC Practice and Procedure Law and made the Federation of Pakistan, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Imran Khan respondents.

Citing no violation of basic rights with the NAB amendments, the federal government pleaded with the SC to nullify its decision in the case. “Legislation is the right of the Parliament,” the plea said.

In a majority 2-1 verdict, the top court approved Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the tenure of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government.

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The Supreme Court also restored graft cases against public office holders that were closed down following the amendments to NAB laws. – INP