Assets of public companies' heads: CJP expresses disappointment over slow pace of inquiry

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday expressed serious disappointment over the slow pace of inquiry into the assets of heads of almost 56 public companies in Punjab by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The chief justice observed that all the heads and officers of the companies drawing huge salaries would be made to pay back their salaries disproportionate to their basic salaries at their parent departments.
The chief justice directed the secretary cabinet division to submit details of the officials transferred to centre from the Punjab province and sought salary structure of the companies' heads by July 26.
The NAB counsel informed the court that the inquiry was in progress and would soon be completed. He said the bureau had received complete record of companies working in the province while the record of the companies operating under the control of federal government was awaited.
The Chief Justice told the NAB counsel to convey the court's concern to chairman of the NAB during hearing of a suo motu case regarding huge salary structure of the chief executive officers (CEOs) and officers of the public companies.
Advocate Ahsan Bhoon appeared on behalf of several heads of the companies and objected to 'humiliating' language used by the NAB in its notices sent to his clients. Chief Justice Nisar asked the counsel whether the heads of the companies returned their received salaries to the national exchequer.
CJP Nisar also warned CEI of Saaf Pani Company Captain Muhammad Usman against using his connections to influence the court and reminded him that nobody could approach the court. Defending Usman, his counsel Ehsan Bhoon said his client had an unblemished record of service and there was no allegation of corruption on him.