The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday barred the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting former National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) chairperson Ayaz Khan Niazi in a graft case pertaining to purchase of real estate on exorbitant rates.
During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar said that two inquiries were under way against Niazi.
The top judge berated the anti-corruption watchdog, saying the anti-graft body arrests those who are in Pakistan, while the ones who are supposed to be taken into custody go scot-free. Without mentioning the name, CJP Nisar said those who were to be arrested had fled the country. “We know how people are facilitated in fleeing abroad.”
A few days ago, Niazi along with 12 others appeared in court in connection to the NICL scandal. Niazi was arrested in May over the top court’s orders, but was granted bail later. His case was being probed by Federal Investigation Agency but was transferred to the NAB.
Published in Daily Times, August 11th 2018.
