The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a detailed verdict about the dismissal of National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB’s) request to restore Rs. 1.2 billion Hudabiya case against the Sharif family.
The three-judge bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam issued a 36-page judgement on Friday saying SC concluded that the “Sharif family was denied due process” in the case.
“We have come to the painful conclusion that the respondents were denied due process. The legal process was abused by keeping the reference pending indefinitely and unreasonably, and the respondents were denied the right to vindicate themselves. The reference served no purpose but to oppress them,” the verdict said.
It also showed concerns over the NAB’s failure to pursue the case at the relevant time.
“NAB did not produce the accused in court, NAB did not seek to have charges framed against them. NAB did not examine a single witness, nor did it tender evidence. NAB also sought innumerable adjournments,” said the ruling.
The bench also said that some media groups, while reporting the proceedings of the case, “violated the parameters of factual reporting, broadcasting and printing views of persons who ware interested in one particular outcome”.
Media should accurately report the proceedings rather than being deliberate on a case still under investigation, said the Bench.
