Daily Times

The Supreme Court Friday decided to keep details of assets submitted by former presidents Asif Ali Zardari and General (r) Pervez Musharraf confidential during the hearing of the case pertaining to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a private TV channel reported.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah resumed hearing of objections on the maintainability of a petition filed by the Lawyers Foundation for Justice President Feroz Shah Gilani urging recovery of losses incurred by the national exchequer due to the promulgation of the NRO.

It is pertinent to note that the controversial ordinance issued by Musharraf granting amnesty to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats accused of corruption and terrorism between January 1, 1986, and October 12, 1999, was declared unconstitutional by the apex court in December 2009.

When asked by Justice Ahsan to convince the top court to accept the plea, the petitioner stressed that the money stashed in Swiss accounts by Zardari belonged to Pakistan. “The $60 million should be recovered.” Upon this, Justice Ahsan asked for evidence proving the money was stolen. He remarked that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman’s counsel has maintained that his client has already been acquitted in cases pertaining to money stashed in Swiss accounts. “It is clear that $60 million were stashed in Swiss accounts but it remains unclear how the money was acquired, where it went and who was the beneficiary,” he added.

The additional attorney general said the NRO was a dated issue hence a new trial would not be appropriate. The apex court, however, unsatisfied by the replies submitted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the federal government, directed the anti-graft watchdog and the attorney general to review cases pertaining to Swiss accounts and NRO and submit their replies. The top court will decide on the maintainability of the petition after going through the responses and the evidence. It also ordered to keep asset details submitted by the former presidents and Malik Qayyum confidential until the petition is admitted for hearing. Justice Ahsan remarked that the SC will ensure no one is subjected to injustice. “The decision will be taken as per law and constitution.” The hearing has been adjourned for three weeks.

Published in Daily Times, November  10^th 2018.