The federal cabinet on Wednesday decided to hold open trial of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in two references filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Caretaker Minister for Information Syed Ali Zafar stated this during a press conference after the cabinet meeting. He said the cabinet also decided that tax exemptions announced for erstwhile FATA in the tenure of previous government would continue as part of plan of merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He explained that implementation committee was formed by the first cabinet meeting presided over by the caretaker Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk after assuming the office for enforcement of legal system in the FATA. The taxation matter falls under the domain of the federal government while legal framework is under the purview of the provincial government, he further said.
Zafar said that the decision to hold trial of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Adiala Jail was one-off measure owing to security concerns. He said the cabinet reversed the decision regarding Nawaz Sharif's trial in Adiala Jail and granted approval for his open trial in two NAB references.
The minister said that Section 16 of the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance states that due to security reasons trial can be transferred to another venue. He added that Article 10-A of the Constitution states that everyone deserves a fair trial and justice, and the federal cabinet has decided to hold former premier's trial in a regular accountability court.
He, however, added that the Ministry of Interior can seek approval from the federal cabinet for transfer of trial to another place if there are security threats.
The minister said that Nawaz Sharif must be provided all those facilities that are allowed to everyone as per jail manual and if he is denied those facilities then it is violation of the Constitution. He, however, stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of provincial government and he was confident that he (Sharif) was being provided facilities as per jail manual.
The minister said that PTV has started grand debate on election and is inviting leaders of political parties to present their viewpoints on different issues before the public.
On FATA issue, he said that various meetings of the committee were held and the federal cabinet decided to move ahead on enforcement of legal system in FATA.
The federal cabinet, he said, decided to continue with taxes implemented in the FATA before the merger and no new tax will be imposed for the interim period and people of FATA/ PATA will be exempted from sales tax on electricity, etc.
He said that various other matters were also considered by the cabinet with the major issue of law and order situation, as elections are also going to be held on July 25, 2018 and observance of code of conduct must be ensured in consultation with political parties. He added that law and order briefing will be shared with media today (Thursday).
He said that the caretaker government does not want to stop anyone from holding rallies or corner meetings before the elections but these events must be held in accordance with the code of conduct.
The minister said that the federal cabinet also discussed FATF meeting. The policy guidelines of the cabinet would help the next government in meeting FATF requirements.
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