A bench, headed by Chief Justice of SHC Ahmed Ali M Shaikh heard the petition of Michael against his arrest. The NAB prosecutor informed the bench about an inquiry against the former minister in a corruption case.

The Investigation Officer (IO) of NAB told the court that Michael, along with other accused, was involved in illegal allotment of three plots.

SHC Chief Justice sought written declaration from the investigation officer and the case officer of NAB till April 18. The bench ordered the NAB to submit clarification regarding the accused during the next hearing.

The counsel of the former minister told the court that his client’s name was not in the investigation and the reference of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) land allotment scam.

Michael, a former minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, has been accused of unlawfully allotting three commercial and residential apartment plots at main locations of KPT Cooperative Housing Society in Karachi to his favorite persons.

Michael held the portfolio of the minister for ports and shipping between 2013 and 2016.

He kept several cabinet posts during different governments. The NAB chairman had ordered an investigation in January 2018 against Michael for alleged misuse of his power.