ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Thursday made Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, a party in appointment matter of Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
A two-judge bench headed by Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and comprising Justice Dost Muhammad Khan resumed the hearing of identical petitions filed against the appointment of NAB chairman.
During the course of proceedings, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for Khurshid Shah requested the court to make Shah party in the instant matter being opposition leader which was accepted by the court with the direction to file the reply within two weeks.
Hamid Khan, counsel for chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan contended that there was no legal justification for Shah to become a party.
He further stated that the SC had passed a judgment against Qamar Zaman Chaudhry in a case, and it was amazing that he was appointed as a chairman NAB.
Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said the petitioner had leveled allegations that the appointment was a result of a deal, whereas the actual thing was that the appointment was made as per constitution.
Ahsan said had the petitioner (PTI) taken back the allegations against his client, Shah, he would not have become a party in the case.
Khawaja Haris, counsel for Ministry of Law apprised the bench that amendment had been made in the law for the appointment of chairman NAB.
Justice Dost Muhammad Khan asked whether the permission had been sought from Establishment Division for the appointment.
Khawaja Haris replied that the particular matter was related to the Law Division and not to the Establishment Division after the amendments so it had no concern with the matter.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the further hearing of the case till April 14 while directing Shah to submit his written reply in the apex court.
Meanwhile, annoyed over not arranging a meeting of Tasif Malik, a missing person, with his family members and non-production of his medical report, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Defence Ministry to arrange the same and submit his medical report till April 3.
Hearing the case Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked, "We will not rest till recovery of the missing persons. It is the responsibility of all the institutions to abide by the law and constitution.
A two-member bench of SC presided over by Justice Khilji Arif Hussain took up for hearing Tasif Malik missing person case Thursday.
The court was told that Tasif Malik’s meeting with his family members had not taken place so far. Tasif had been shifted from Lakki Murwat to Kohat, therefore, his meeting with his family members would become easy now. Inamur Rahim, counsel for Tasif said contempt of court plea against the military authorities be also decided now.
The court remarked, "Let the meeting take place then we will see this matter”. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till April 3.