Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has submitted his written response in the case concerning amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws.
A five-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and including Justices Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Athar Minallah, and Hasan Azhar Rizvi, has reserved its verdict on the government’s review petition in the NAB amendments case after considering arguments from all involved parties.
In his submission to the Supreme Court, Khan argued for the annulment of the NAB amendments, which he claims are contrary to the law. “Amendments designed to shield corruption are unheard of even in Banana Republic states,” stated Khan in his response. He emphasized that the Parliament must not overstep its constitutional limits when enacting such amendments.
Additionally, Khan accused the NAB of exaggerating the value of a necklace, claimed to be worth Rs3.18 billion but allegedly only valued at Rs18 million, to implicate him in the Toshakhana case.
It is relevant to note that the apex court previously invalidated the amendments to the NAB laws based on Khan’s petition.
In a 2-1 majority ruling, the Supreme Court upheld Khan’s challenge to the modifications made to the country’s accountability laws under the previous government led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). This decision also reinstated corruption cases against public officials that were dismissed following the legislative changes.
Following this, the federal government lodged a review plea under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Law regarding this decision, naming the Federation of Pakistan, the National Accountability Bureau, and the PTI founder as respondents.
The federal government’s plea argued that the NAB amendments did not infringe on fundamental rights, asserting that “Legislation is the prerogative of the Parliament.”
