Arrest of ex-OGRA chief: SC issues notice to NAB chief
05 March, 2013
ISLAMABAD: Expressing dissatisfaction over NAB report, the Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to NAB chairman asking him to explain why criminal negligence was shown in implementation of the court's order for the arrest of former OGRA chairman Tauqir Sadiq. A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, observed that NAB reports showed that the authority wanted to delay the matter and was only interested in seeking the next date for hearing of the case. Justice Jawwad observed that a lot of money had been spent in the case but the result was zero. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, meanwhile, noted that the former OGRA chief was allowed to withdraw Rs 3 billion from the banks. The court said that the NAB chairman was responsible for the performance of the bureau. The bench said its orders have not been implemented and instead efforts are being made to influence its proceeding regarding the case. Justice Jawwad said that the investigation officer in the case was appointed after a lapse of two months and when he started to probe the case he was transferred in order to delay the matter. When the investigation officer issued a warrant, the director general concerned ordered to proceed in the matter afresh. NAB Additional Prosecutor General Rana Zahid told the court that efforts were being made to bring back former NAB chief, "as it was in the interest of the country". He stated that NAB had filed an application for Sadiq's deportation. Meanwhile, Investigation Officer Waqas told the court that Tauqir Sadiq had to be brought back on February 27, but a trial court in Dubai further extended stay order on his deportation for 10 more days. The court observed that Sadiq was provided an opportunity to flee the country. It inquired whether warrants were issued for the people who had sent money to Tauqir's wife. The investigation officer informed the bench that he had sent a report from Dubai in that regard on February 22, in which he had explained the problems in deportation of Tauqir Sadiq. The court expressed surprised that a report sent 10 days ago had not been submitted to it yet, although a hearing was held in the case on February 26. "Till date we have not received the report," said Justice Jawwad. NAB APG Rana Zahid explained that the NAB prosecutor general had specially taken the file from him and he was unaware of its contents. He said they had sent capable officers to bring Tauqir Sadiq back to the country, and were making sincere efforts to comply with the apex court's orders. The case has been adjourned till March 7. End.
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