A divisional bench of Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit its comments/reply by July 20 regarding its policy to arrest the electoral contestant Javed Hanif, former chairman Karachi Port (KPT).
The bench headed by Justice Khadim Hussain Sheikh took up the petition, seeking release of detained Javed Hanif, who is also Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-Pakistan's contender in election for Sindh Assembly's seat from PS-95 (Karachi). The petitioner's counsel Rasheed A. Rizvi stated that NAB chairman issued a letter a day after arrest of his client, which clearly stated that electoral candidates can't be arrested till the July 25 (the polling day).
He also read the NAB chairman's letter in the court and said his client has not been released despite the stated policy of NAB over the contesting candidates. He told the court that Javed Hanif was arrested after he was awarded the MQM's candidacy to contest the election.
Advocate Rizvi termed the arrest of his client 'pre-poll rigging' and requested the court to order release of his client immediately declaring his arrest illegal. Ex-chairman Javed Hanif has been charged with embezzlement of funds and illegal appointments in KPT as NAB prosecutor said the former had made 940 illegal appointments in KPT without advertising the vacancies against these appointments.
NAB also accused him of causing financial losses amounting Rs 2 billion to national exchequer in a graft case. The bench ordered NAB to submit the reply on its policy for arresting the contesting candidates and directed it to apprise the court about the stance of NAB chairman NAB on arrest of Javed Hanif. NAB should submit its comments by July 20 in the court, bench ordered.
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