Transfer of ML case to AC Islamabad: NAB requests SHC to dismiss petitions

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday requested Sindh High Court (SHC) to dismiss the petitions against the transfer of money laundering (ML) case to Accountability Court (AC), Islamabad by raising the questions on their maintainability.
NAB made this request in its comments submitted before a division bench of the SHC, which is hearing the petitions against the decision of banking court to transfer the money laundering case to AC Islamabad. Former President Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur and others, accused in money laundering case filed the petitions against the decision of the banking court.
NAB in its reply argued that the petitions are not tenable according to the law as the matter has been transferred and termed the petitions to hamper the process of criminal proceedings.
NAB contested the claim of the petitioners that judgment of apex court in money laundering case was misread by NAB. It argued that Supreme Court (SC) specifically issued in this regard.
NAB submitted that the apex court had directed JIT to hold inquiry into the money-laundering jointly with NAB and it has been undertaking the investigations in accordance with the law.
NAB stated that the apex court issued the orders for filing the references in the accountability court after their finalization. NAB also disputed the contents of the petitions, which according to it are misleading.
The SHC bench directed the petitioners to submit the rejoinder in the next hearing of the case and fix the matter for April 2, 2019 for hearing.
Meanwhile, a division bench of the SHC sought the reply from Sindh Government to submit in two-week time over Sindh Universities (Amendment) Act 2018.
The court issued the directives after Additional Advocate General Sindh Shabir Shah argued that the said act is not illegal. The act was challenged by Altaf Shakoor, President Pasban on the ground that under this act, Sindh Chief Minister has been made Chancellor of public sector universities in the province contrary to the earlier law, in which Governor was Chancellor of such universities.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the court will take action if the fundamental rights were affected due to amendment in the act.
The court directed the provincial government attorney to submit the stance of the government in written.
Petitioners requested the court to set aside the amendment act as it would deprive the public universities of their autonomy and would ruin the academic atmospheres by turning the universities into "den of political parties".