Tauqeer's arrest now court's problem not NAB's: SC
04 January, 2013
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that the arrest of Tauqueer Sadiq, former chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), was its problem, not of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
A two-member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, heard the Ogra scam case with particular reference to the arrest of Tauqeer Sadiq. The bench expressed its annoyance at the non-implementation of the orders the apex court had given to NAB regarding Tauqueer Sadiq's arrest and observed that the former Ogra chief fled the country with the connivance of the authorities concerned.
Earlier, Azam Khan, Director Legal, FIA, told the Supreme Court that two passports of Tauqeer Sadiq had been cancelled. In compliance with the court's earlier order, he said that two passports of Tauqeer Sadiq were cancelled whereas the agency had contacted Interpol to arrest him.The court was informed that red warrants of the fugitive could not be issued because he was not declared absconder by the NAB court.
Fauzi Kazmi, Deputy Prosecutor General NAB, told the court that due to the vacant post of the administrative judge in the NAB court, Tauqeer Sadiq was not declared absconder in the instant matter.
Deputy Attorney General Dil Muhammad Ali Zai however told the court that the Lahore High Court is the competent authority to appoint a judge in the accountability court, adding that the Attorney General's Office informed the Registrar Lahore High Court on July 9, 2012 but no response was received regarding the appointment of a judge in the accountability court so far.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja however, observed that NAB should have filed a petition over the non-appointment of a judge in the accountability court and directed the most senior judge of the accountability court to perform the duties as presiding pfficer of the court. The court also sent a copy of theorder to the Registrar Lahore High Court.
Justice Khiliji Arif Hussain asked about the steps taken to watch the porous border saying cluster of Chechnyan, Uzbeks and Libyans had crossed the Pakistan border illegally because no check and balance is found there.
Inspector General National Motorway & Highway Police Zafar Abbas Luk told the bench that two officers were suspended over negligence in the matter.Meanwhile, the court sought a comprehensive report from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) pertaining to details of those who facilitated former Chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Tauqeer Sadiq to escape from the country and adjourned the hearing till January 10.
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