ISLAMABAD, 23 August — All the cases pending in accountability courts against Sharif family are adjourned sine die, National Accountability Bureau Chairman Munir Hafeez said yesterday. To a question, he said he has no knowledge about the contents of the deal struck between the government and the Sharif family, which left Pakistan for Saudi Arabia in December 2000.
He, however, said if any one of the Sharif family decides to return to Pakistan, the law will take its course. “Yes, the cases against them, currently adjourned sine die, would be reactivated on their return,” said the NAB chief.
Answering a question on his meeting with Chief Observer of European Union Mission John Cushnahan, Hafeez said it was a good meeting and views were exchanged. “The EUM has not shown any concern to him about NAB law or its working,” he added, “he has not shown any thing on it.” Cushnahan, he said, was apprised of NAB activities and its efforts to cleanse the society from corruption.
Hafeez also gave a clean chit to tanks deal which Pakistan struck with Ukraine some years back. “I have talked to the man who did this deal, and he said there was nothing wrong in it in any way,” he confirmed. Hafeez made these remarks in an exclusive interview with The Arab News/Jang here at his office yesterday.
Pakistan purchased more than 300 tanks from Ukraine and many raised eyebrows on the deal. But so far, no one has come out with any evidence of kickbacks and commission in that deal. When asked, he said no other defense deal like old Mirages from France, purchase of other military equipment from foreign sources or any thing else is being probed or investigated by NAB.
He said only Agosta 90B submarine deal was probed and the main person, Mansoorul Haq, has now returned the kickbacks and commission he received in that. Hafeez, who commanded Bahawalpur Corps before being appointed as NAB chairman, however, expressed his readiness to probe in any matter which is brought before him for investigation. “Hearsay is a different thing, but we need concrete evidence in every case,” said the NAB Chief.
Hafeez said the NAB is not involved in witch hunting or hounding of politicians, businessmen or officials, as its successful operations against corruption have attracted a constitutional cover which turned it a futuristic interference-free permanent organization
Hafeez spelled out a well-defined future role for NAB. “The organizational structure of NAB would not be shaken up following the return of civilian rule,” he said and added, “NAB would continue to work without any interference, as the NAB ordinance would soon be turned into a law.”
“No corrupt person will escape from the long hands of NAB, as NAB’s working would remain independent,” maintained the NAB chairman, who spoke with immense confidence following the final amendments President Pervez Musharraf had announced in the constitution, with constitutional cover for NAB.
The cricket-loving straight-talking general maintained that the Parliament would be supreme and it would be free to do whatever it feels like, but it would be difficult for any one to think in terms of laying NAB to rest. The NAB operations against corruption and cleanse the society from black sheep would continue, though on the basis of past experience NAB law would certainly be updated and make it more potent in the sense of achieving its objectives.
Brushing aside the impression of delay in finalization of NAB references and convictions to the corrupt elements caused by it, the NAB chief said that all NAB operations right from receiving a compliant to investigation and its execution or prosecution till conviction, NAB takes precautions and work under a system so that there should be no injustice to be done with any body.
