KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday condemned what it called the biased attitude of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as was demonstrated during the arrest of MPA Sharjeel Memon and called upon the federal government to adopt a “uniform policy about its judicial system” throughout Pakistan and strictly follow it.

The demand was made in a resolution tabled by Khursheed Junejo and signed by over six MPAs of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Before it was put to a voice vote, opposition parties — the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), PML-N and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) — opposed the resolution.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and PPP lawmakers Khursheed Junejo, Taimour Talpur, Imdad Hussain Pitafi, Nasir Ali Shah and Sharjeel Memon himself endorsed the resolution. From the opposition side Leader of Joint Opposition Khawaja Izharul Hasan and Syed Sardar Ahmed of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Samar Ali Khan and Khurram Sherzaman of the PTI and Sheheryar Mahar and Nusrat Sahar Abbasi of the PML-F opposed the resolution.

When the resolution was put to vote after an hour-long discussion, all other opposition parties said a big “No”, except the MQM which did not participate in the voting.

The resolution said Mr Memon’s arrest was aimed at “tarnishing his image and creating political turmoil”.

Opposition rejects resolution, advises lawmaker to move apex court for relief

Winding up the discussion, the chief minister said, “We have full respect for the courts but (will) continue to raise our voice against the discriminatory attitude of NAB in Sindh. We are not afraid of cases. Whatever cases you want to frame against me, you are at liberty to proceed with. NAB is not a court against which nothing could be said but an institution which was the creation of a dictator,” an angry Shah roared on the floor of the Sindh Assembly.

He appealed to the Sindh High Court to take notice of Mr Memon’s arrest and initiate similar action it had taken action on the arrest of the guards of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza.

The chief minister advised the opposition lawmakers not to “stage courts” in the assembly and said that “no one should be termed corrupt without proof”.

“NAB had made the entire Sindh government face courts. We are not against accountability, make every one accountable but no one should be victimised politically. But if different laws are made for different people we would lodge protest,” the chief minister said.

Opposition’s objections

Leader of the Opposition Khawaja Izharul Hasan said there was a general impression that the resolution had been tabled to influence an institution to favour some person and as such it was not possible (for his party) to support it. Sardar Ahmed advised Mr Memon to approach the apex court with an appeal to review his case to get some relief.

Samar Ali Khan said if anyone possessed assets beyond his sources of income, they would be investigated.

Sheheryar Mahar said: “We could not support the resolution as Mr Memon’s bail was not cancelled by NAB but by the Sindh High Court. A resolution against the court judgement amounts to contempt of court. Nusrat Sahar Abbasi said Mr Memon had been accused of Rs6 billion corruption. If this allegation is wrong, he should declare his assets. Those facing corruption cases ought to defend themselves in the courts.”

Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, Mr Memon asked why names of (deposed prime minister) Nawaz Sharif and (Finance Minister) Ishaq Dar had not been included in the Exit Control List and why they had not been arrested whereas he was arrested from the premises of the courts “without any warrant”.

He said NAB had committed highhandedness with him on two occasions: once when he landed at Islamabad airport where he was arrested at the apron. On the other hand the authority’s personnel were not allowed to enter the airport to arrest retired Captain Safdar, Mr Sharif’s son-in-law.

“NAB has shown my arrest from Sharae-i-Iraq outside Masjid-i-Khizra while the media was witness that I was arrested from the stairs of the court. He said 11 other persons were also arrested along with him without any arrest warrants.”

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2017