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ISLAMABAD: Former chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Javed Iqbal approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), challenging the decision of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that barred him to head the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
Not only the PAC but also the IHC, in its recent order, termed the commission a “liability”.
The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances was established in 2011 and Justice Iqbal has been heading it since then. It was formed to trace the missing persons and fix responsibility on individuals or organisations behind such cases.
As per a recent report of the commission, only one third of the missing persons have returned homes since the establishment of the commission.
In his petition, Justice Iqbal cited Secretaries Parliamentary Affairs, Interior, PAC and National Assembly as respondents. He stated: “All these directions are beyond the scope and ambit of the jurisdiction vested in the Public Accounts Committee as envisaged in Rule 198, 201(5), 202 and 203 of the Rules of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, framed under the provision of Article 67 of the Constitution.”
The petitioner argued the PAC direction “is evidently in contravention to the mandate of law and the prescribed Rules of Procedure. These violations are beyond jurisdiction and in complete oblivion to the due process of law.” He requested the IHC to declare the PAC’s direction as void.
Acting Chief Justice of the IHC Aamer Farooq will hear the petition on Tuesday (today).
Earlier on July 7, the PAC in its meeting observed since a serious allegation had been levelled against former NAB chairman, who was also heading the commission, he should not hold such office.
The PAC also decided to approach Prime Minister Office over this issue.
While hearing missing persons’ cases, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on June 23 observed, “Retired Justice Javed Iqbal has become a liability and failed to justify its existence.”
Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2022
