Strictures against NAB, FIA expected

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were seen to be visibly under immense strain on the eve of the Panama verdict fearing the possibility of some changes in their modus operandi and in the process of senior appointments. Sources within NAB and FIA said that the observation and remarks of the apex court during Panama case proceedings were quite adverse with respect to the performance of both the institutions.
"In such a situation one can expect anything...the court may pass some adverse remarks or give directions against the current NAB and FIA management, so there is obvious panic there," they added. Barrister Ali Zafar, who is also former president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), said that one thing will definitely be in the verdict notably what should be the roadmap to eradicate the menace of corruption.
He said the court may tell the anti-graft bodies to make sure that corruption which has eroded the very foundation of this country is dealt with appropriately in future. "You can expect anything from the court as it is going to be very important verdict," he added. Barrister Muhammad Saif Ali Khan said that the apex court may pass remarks about the failure of institutions like NAB, FIA and FBR to take measures to combat corruption in senior members of the executive. The court may direct these institutions to investigate and collect information about the people named in the Panama papers, he said.
However, he said that court can not order removal of NAB chairman as it is a constitutional post and the incumbent chairman's tenure is not yet complete. "The court can only remove Chairman NAB in the event that he stands accused after an inquiry against him on a corruption case has been completed," he said.
During adjudication of the Panama case, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked that state institutions should have probed offshore companies named in the Panama papers and their failure to do so reflects a failure to do their jobs. During the proceedings, the five-member bench remarked that neither FBR nor NAB performed its jobs. "It has been a year and NAB has not yet initiated any investigation," said Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said. "Those who had been named in the Panama Papers should at least have been interrogated by NAB," Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh had observed.