ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday informed Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the bureau does not want custody of former managing director Pakistan Television (PTV) Yousaf Baig Mirza as the NAB chairman has not issued his warrants of arrest.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Mr Mirza seeking bail in an ongoing investigation related to his appointment as the PTV head, appointments he made in the state-run television and the release of funds.

Shah Khawar, the counsel for Mr Baig, said the court had already dealt with the matter and NAB was trying to reopen the settled case.

The investigation officer of NAB told the court that it was a direction of the Supreme Court that had become the basis of the inquiry against Mr Baig.

But the counsel argued that it was not a judicial but an executive order issued by the human rights cell of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that the IHC and even the Supreme Court had on a number of times made it clear that the human rights cell was not at par with the apex court; therefore, its directions are not binding as such.

He directed the investigation officer to go through the judgments related to the ambit of the human rights cell. Even otherwise, he added, whenever the superior courts issue directions to proceed against an accused it is the duty of the investigation officer to ensure the right of fair trial of the accused person.

He said since IHC had already dealt with the matter, the investigation officer should refrain from misconstruing the judicial order.

Justice Minallah disposed of the petition after the investigation officer informed the court that no warrants of arrest had been issued against the petitioner.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2020