NAB chairman apologises to SC in NRO case
17 January, 2012
ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Admiral (r) Fasih Bokhari on Monday tendered unconditional apology in the Supreme Court over his defiant conduct before a five-member bench during the last hearing of the NRO implementation case. A seven-judge special bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk accepted his apology while hearing the NRO implementation case. During the hearing, Shaiq Usmani, appearing on behalf of the NAB chairman said: "Advice given to me (NAB chairman) was incorrect. Subsequently I took more advice and in compliance with the court order immediately proceeded against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) former managing director Adnan Khawaja, former additional director general Ahmed Riaz Sheikh, former Establishment Division secretary Ismail Qureshi and former Ministry of Interior secretary incharge Raja Ahsan." He said Ismail Qureshi was arrested on Friday but the NAB court released him on the condition that whenever he would be asked he would appear. Usmani said that the arrest warrant for former attorney general Malik Qayyum had been issued. The counsel said that the chairman is present in the court and apologies for lack of knowledge about the 'court etiquettes'. Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa told the counsel if his client really felt regrets over his earlier stance then he should submit a written statement duly signed by him. Senator Waseem Sajjad, representing Malik Qayyum, said in the NRO review petition judgement a larger bench had not issued any mandatory order but said the relevant authorities might proceed in accordance with the law without influence of this court. He said that Malik Qayyum acted in bona fide manner and did not get any benefit for writing to Swiss authorities. Dr Abdul Basit, counsel for Ahmed Riaz Sheikh, stated that his client had undergone the punishment and completed his sentence term. The court adjourned the hearing till January 19. End.
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