SC bars NAB from taking any action against Bahria Town
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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court stopped National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from taking any action against Bahria Town till the outcome of the review petition of the housing society.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar passed the directions while hearing plea moved by Malik Riaz, Chairman of Bahria Town.
Chief Justice also cleared that a five member bench would be constituted to hear the review petition.
Chief Justice Saqib Nisar also assured Malik Riaz that justice would be done with him and directed him to submit 20 percent of 5 billion rupees to the court. The court ordered that personal properties of the family of Malik Riaz would be attached for surety in the court.
In addition, Bahria Town has been asked to file monthly audit report of its accounts.
On previous hearing, Malik Riaz requested the top judge to order the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to halt its investigation regarding construction of multi-storey building in Karachi till the court passed any order in that regard as property prices had gone down due to which several people, who had invested in the project were suffering.
However the court rejected his plea but on Wednesday hearing accepted his stance and barred NAB from taking any action.
On Tuesday hearing, chief justice also asked Malik Riaz to deposit Rs 20 billion with the court. Malik, however, requested him to reduce the amount to Rs 5 billion. The CJP then asked him to submit Rs 5 billion and come up with an affidavit and suggestions and adjourned the hearing.
The court barred Bahria Town Karachi from collecting any payment from allottees saying that society violated court orders by opening up a separate bank account to collect outstanding amount.
On May 5, the Supreme Court had restrained Bahria Town from selling or allotting land in the Bahria Town Karachi due to massive illegalities in land acquisition.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan also directed the National Accountability Bureau to file references against the responsible for violations.
In the verdict, the three member-bench of the apex court requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a bench for the implementation of this judgment in letter and spirit. APP
