Rana Zahid's appointment: LHC seeks replies from Chairman NAB, IGP, AG by April 18

A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) here on Monday sought again replies from Chairman NAB, IGP Punjab and attorney general (AG)of Pakistan by April 18, in a petition challenging appointment of Rana Zahid Mehmood as Director General NAB-Punjab.
Earlier, nobody appeared on behalf of the respondent authorities and petitioner's counsel alleged that the government was deliberately delaying submission of replies. He pointed out that the contract of Rana Zahid Mehmood will expire on July 20, 2011 and the government wanted to stretch the proceedings till that date so the instant petition would become ineffective. Petitioner Shah Faisal Qureshi submitted that appointment of Zahid was made on contract in violation of rules and regulations.
The petitioner said that the respondent was removed as judge from Lahore High Court following a landmark judgement of the apex court on a petition of Sindh High Court Bar Association. He alleged that Rana Zahid was a close relative of Rana Qaiser Nazir, an accused in Canal Motors case, being investigated by the NAB. He accused Rana Zahid of exercising his influence in the matter and removing the investigating officer Rana Waqas who held investigation on merit and declared Rana Qaiser and others guilty.