After the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to reopen multi-billion rupee graft cases, the leading anti-corruption agency is taking steps to enlist the aid of intelligence agency personnel in investigating high-profile corruption instances. This development came to light on Thursday.
According to sources, a letter requesting this collaboration has been dispatched to sensitive institutions, with the endorsement of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt.
It has been revealed that these anti-corruption advocates have called for the placement of intelligence agency officers in key positions on a temporary basis for conducting inquiries. These officers are anticipated to commence their duties in the coming days, maintaining their current pay scales.
Insiders have also shared that NAB intends to promptly fill all vacant positions within its ranks. Additionally, a deputy chairman of the national anti-corruption body and a prosecutor general will soon be appointed on a permanent basis.
The intelligence agency officers on deputation will serve within NAB offices, facilitating the establishment of a robust and efficient intelligence infrastructure within the anti-corruption agency, as disclosed by the sources.
The decision to engage the assistance of intelligence agency officers is aimed at expediting and enhancing the accountability process. They will work in collaboration with NAB’s investigation officers.
This move follows NAB’s submission of corruption references to an accountability court in Islamabad, in line with the Supreme Court’s directive to reinstate graft cases against public officials.
Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir has instructed the court registrar to review the case records and present them for his examination. He has also directed NAB prosecutors to assess the legal aspects of these cases, given the differing nature of charges against private individuals, public officials, and government employees.
On September 15, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by then-Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, delivered a majority 2-1 verdict in favor of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s tenure. The bench ordered the reinstatement of all closed graft cases against political leaders and public officials, declaring the amendments null and void.
As a result, numerous prominent political figures, including former prime ministers and a former president, will face renewed scrutiny. Cases are set to reopen against figures such as Nawaz Sharif, Yousuf Raza Gillani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shehbaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former president Asif Ali Zardari, and former chief ministers of Sindh and Punjab, among many former federal and provincial ministers.
According to The News, cases related to fake accounts against Zardari, the rental power plants case involving Ashraf, and the Toshakhana vehicles cases concerning Zardari, Nawaz, and Gillani will also be reinvestigated. Additional politicians, including former Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, and former Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, will face inquiries regarding the accumulation of assets beyond their known sources of income.
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