ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday questioned that if illegal appointments in Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) were made during the tenure of former minister for housing and works Akran Khan Durrani, then why the incumbent government had allowed the appointees to continue working.

IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb was hearing the petition filed by Durrani seeking pre arrest bail in the alleged illegal appointment case.

The court asked the additional prosecutor general NAB Jahanzeb Khan Bharwana whether Durrani was cooperating with the investigating officer or otherwise.

Mr Bharwana responded that the investigating officer sought custody of Durrani in order to confront him with some evidence.

The bench also raised question that if the appointments made during the tenure of Durrani were illegal then why the illegal appointees are allowed to continue their job by the incumbent minister for housing and works.

The division bench asked the NAB to provide a list of those accused who have been arrested during the course of investigation and reminded the bureau that the court would not allow arrest on the pick and choose basis.

Justice Minallah inquired whether the arrest of the accused in white collar crime was mandatory even if he was cooperating with the investigation agency.

The bench directed the investigating officer to satisfy the court as to why arrest of Durrani is indispensible for the investigation and adjourned the hearing till Jan30.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2020