News Desk |
Former Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah has approached the Sindh high court on Tuesday to seek pre-arrest bail in a case pertaining to illegal transfer of land. In his plea, the former CM Sindh said the NAB had issued a notice to him in the case and it could result in arrest; hence he requested the court to issue orders for his protective bail.
The National Accountability Bureau is investigating the irregularities in allotment of Malir Development Authority’s land. Earlier, Shah had refused to appear for the hearing on Nov 5 to record his statement as he believed that NAB’s investigation officer was targeting him on personal enmity.
Currently, the anti-graft body, NAB, is investigating 19 corruption cases against important figures in Sindh.
The Supreme Court in May 2018 had declared that grant of land to Malir Development Authority (MDA) by the Sindh government and its exchange with the land of Bahria Town is illegal. A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Maqbool Baqar and Justice Faisal Arab in a 2:1 majority verdict ordered Bahria Town not to sell or purchase any plot, built-up unit, apartment etc after the announcement of this verdict.
The court held that any allotment made after the announcement of this verdict will be considered as void. The court directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to complete investigation within three months and file references in the accountability court against all those who are found responsible for causing loss to the national exchequer.
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It is an interesting development as Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Nov 10 predicted that “big names” in Sindh would be arrested soon as part of government’s ongoing campaign against corruption. Currently, the anti-graft body, NAB, is investigating 19 corruption cases against important figures in Sindh.
Shah had refused to appear for the hearing on Nov 5 to record his statement as he believed that NAB’s investigation officer was targeting him on personal enmity.
On the other hand, high-level politicians from Sindh, Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and many others are being probed in money laundering case by Joint investigation team formed by the Supreme Court.
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A banking court today (Tuesday) has extended the interim bail granted earlier to former president Zardari and his sister, in a money laundering case till Dec 10. Zardari, Talpur and other accused appeared before the court in connection to a case pertaining to money laundering of billions through fictitious bank accounts. The court extended interim bail of Faryal Talpur, Ali Majeed, Nimar Majeed, Mustafa Zulqarnain and other accused and case was adjourned till Dec 10, without any proceeding.