SC wraps up suo motu notice on NAB voluntary return scheme
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) has wrapped up suo motu notice regarding NAB voluntary return scheme.
A 3-member bench of SC presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial took up suo motu notice case for hearing Wednesday.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) argued during the hearing of the case that section 25-A will be considered offence after the amendment in NAB law in 2022. What punishment was meant for plea bargain will apply to voluntary return scheme as well.
He said any one who returns money or asset under voluntary return scheme will not be entitled to hold public office for 10 years.
Prosecutor NAB said the present case be heard after NAB amendment case.
AAG said suo motu notice has served its purpose.
CJP Umar Ata Bandial remarked all the NAB amendments were not challenged in the SC. The government employee obtained clean chit after returning the money and later he did what he used to do earlier.
He further observed what loophole was there in the law has been removed. This NAB amendment is a good amendment. The other petitions which are attached with the case will be heard separately.
On September 9, 2016 , SC had taken suo motu notice of NAB law on voluntary return of money.
The notice was taken on reinstatement of public office holder following the voluntary return of money.