ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday restrained the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting the former chairperson of the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL), Ayaz Khan Niazi, in a corruption case.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a case pertaining to purchase of real estate at unfair rates against Mr Niazi.

During the course of proceedings, the NAB prosecutor urged the bench to cancel the bail which was granted earlier to the accused, saying that his arrest would be helpful for further investigation in the scandal.

The CJP criticised NAB, saying the anti-graft body picked up only those who were in Pakistan but left out the ones who were supposed to be taken into custody but they instead fled the country.

“We know how people are facilitated in fleeing abroad,” remarked Justice Nisar. He observed that Mr Niazi lived in a two-kanal house and his cars were also not registered in his name.

Mr Niazi was arrested in May following the apex court’s orders. However, later he got bail in the case.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2018