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NAB law explainer: Anti-graft body now restricted to corruption over Rs500m

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Pakistan anti-corruption law has been further amended, on the recommendation of the national assembly’s standing committee on law and justice. After which, on Wednesday, the national assembly passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022.

This is the second time the law has been altered by the coalition government, since coming to power in April. Previously changes were made to the anti-corruption law in May.

It is important to mention that the PTI has challenged the changes made to the anti-graft legislation in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which is expected to take up the case soon.

What new revisions have been made to the law that governs the National Accountability Bureau? Geo.tv lists down the changes:

  • Now an offence will fall under the NAB law only if a person commits corruption of the value of more than Rs.500 million. This means that NAB “has been fixed to take action against only mega scandals,” stated the standing committee when approving the amendments.
  • Previously, the prosecutor general’s term was non-extendable. Now the three-year-term can be extended.
  • After an investigation is completed by NAB, no supplementary reference can be filed in a case unless new evidence comes to light.
  • Earlier the NAB chairman could call “any person” or request “any document” during an inquiry. As per the revisions, now the accountability body can only summon those people and documents relevant to the inquiry or investigation.
  • Previously the chairman NAB, with approval from the court, could direct any suspicious person’s surveillance and seek the assistance of any government agency. This section has been removed.
  • Under the earlier law, banks and financial institutions were to report unusual or large transactions to the NAB. Now, the law states that the transactions should be over Rs. 2 million to be considered “unusual”.
  • At the time of the arrest, the NAB will have to inform the person of the charges against him/her, and any person called to provide information shall be informed of the allegations so the person is able file a defense.
  • Earlier the NAB law stated that if someone absconds, to avoid being served or evades punishment, he/she will be guilty of an offence with three years’ imprisonment. This has been omitted.
  • Even after a reference is filed the NAB chairman can withdraw the case if it is “unjustified”, before the charges are framed.
  • A person entering into a plea bargain or voluntary return shall not prejudice the case of another accused
  • If it comes to light that the plea bargain was a result of duress or coercion, during the inquiry, the court may recall the plea bargain
  • Earlier the amount from plea bargain and voluntary returns was to be deposited with the federal or provincial government within one month. That has been omitted.

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Combating Terrorism: Twelve Terrorists Destroyed in Separate Operations by Security Forces

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Eleven terrorists and Kharijis were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Miran Shah District and North Waziristan. One of the victims was Sana Alias Baru, a high-value target.

In the vicinity of Miran Shah in North Waziristan, security forces successfully fought the Khwarij, leading to the death of eight and injury of six.

The general region of Balgatar, Kech District, Balochistan was earlier the scene of an Intelligence-Based Operation that resulted in the deaths of four terrorists, one of them was a high-value target.

Authorities in Kech District were actively seeking Baru, who had a pivotal role in recruiting members of the so-called Majeed Brigade, particularly suicide bombers.

Among the terrorists’ possessions were weapons and ammo.

In order to eradicate any lingering terrorists in the vicinity, a sanitation operation is currently under progress.

With unwavering resolve, the Pakistani security forces will eradicate the terrorist threat from the nation.

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Constitutional Bench Gets to Work: Petitions Dismissed, Fines Slapped on Frivolous Petitioners

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As of today, pending matters are being heard by the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, which was established under the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.

On its first day of operation, the six-judge Constitutional Bench presided over by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan dismissed several frivolous petitions, including one challenging legislation enacted by the PDM government, and fined the petitioner twenty thousand rupees for bringing the case.

Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan make up the Constitutional Bench, along with Justice Amin.

The bench rejected the appeal challenging the decision of the Supreme Court to appoint Qazi Faez Isa, a former chief justice of Pakistan, to the position of chief justice of the Balochistan high court.

In addition to upholding the Registrar Office’s objections, the Constitutional Bench rejected a petition asking for a change to the general election date on 8 February.

It has become an infructuous affair, the bench said, regarding the review of the Supreme Court’s decision on the review of judgment and order.

Justice Amin Uddin told the Attorney General that the Supreme Court has acknowledged parliament’s involvement in legislation in response to his claim that the verdict has commented on parliament’s position as legislative.

The bench found the petitioner’s claims to be baseless and fined them 20,000 rupees, dismissing their request to outlaw marriages between government employees and foreign nationals.

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Ahsan says all available resources should be used to eradicate smog at the air pollution meeting.

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According to Ahsan Iqbal, the country’s minister of planning and development, a non-traditional approach is required to address the pollution problem, and every available resource would be used to eradicate this grave issue.

Children are disproportionately affected by pollution, the Planning Minister stated during a special meeting on smog and air pollution in Islamabad.

He claimed that cooperation between the federal government and the provinces is urgently needed to address the various problems that climate change has caused in Pakistan.

Smog is interfering with everyday activities, the Minister added, and it has grown to be a serious threat to our future.

Burning crop residue is the cause of smog, he claimed.

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