The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday extended interim bail of former federal minister Akram Khan Durrani till February 19 in four inquiries initiated against him by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

A division bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the petitions filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam's (JUI-F) leader Akram Khan Durrani.

During the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb asked about the details of allotment of houses given by the petitioner. At this, the NAB investigation officer provided a list of the allotments which showed that the houses were also allotted to the civil judges of Punjab and Islamabad.

At this, the bench expressed its annoyance saying if chairman NAB can issue arrest warrants on these evidences. The court asked the chairman NAB to review this issue and then decide the matter.

Justice Athar remarked that the investigation officer should keep in view the basic human rights. Later, the court deferred hearing in this matter till February 19 for further proceedings.

Previously, the Chief Justice had remarked that Akram Durrani had been holding public office while the principal account officer of the ministry was secretary who was holding all powers. He asked from the NAB whether it has also arrested principal account officer. At this, the prosecutor said that the secretary is also an accused in this case.

The bench remarked that bureaucrats, who have all the powers, are protected through the amendment in NAB Ordinance, while inquiry has been initiated against the person, having no powers, for misuse of authority.

The NAB prosecutor informed the bench that arrest warrants had been issued against Durrani in the inquiry of illegal appointments, not in a case pertaining to holding assets beyond known source of income.

The petitioner had sought pre-arrest bails in four cases pertaining to alleged holding of assets beyond known sources of income, bulletproof vehicle, recruitments in housing ministry and misuse of his authority.