ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other respondents on an intra-court appeal challenging an increase in the maximum period of physical remand of accused persons from 14 to 40 days under a NAB ordinance.
The court also issued a notice to the Attorney General for Pakistan and sought his assistance in the matter.
A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the appeal against a single bench decision. Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique appeared on behalf of the appellant, Najeebullah.
The single bench had disposed of the petition as having become infructuous after the ordinance was not ratified by Parliament.
During the hearing, the appellant’s counsel argued that the NAB ordinance had been introduced specifically for a particular individual, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
He said the ordinance had extended the maximum period of physical remand of an accused person from 14 to 40 days.
The counsel maintained that the expiry of the ordinance did not resolve the legal question concerning the validity of actions taken under its provisions.
After issuing notices to the respondents, the court adjourned further proceedings until the third week of November.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
