Pakistan court seeks NAB's reply in plea against Nawaz Sharif

LAHORE: A Pakistani court today issued a notice to the country's anti-corruption watchdog, seeking its reply on a plea filed against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accusing him of interfering in the affairs of the organisation and undermining its independence.

The Lahore High Court Judge Justice Shahid Waheed issued the notice to the National Accountability Bureau ( NAB) and asked it to submit a reply on the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Gohar Nawaz Sindhu.

Sindhu moved the court last week alleging that Sharif issued a "warning" to the NAB chairman during a public address and tried to influence the institution.

In his plea, he alleged that the Prime Minister tried to prejudice the bureau's investigation in several mega corruption cases by passing critical comments against it, which amounts to stop the country's top anti-corruption body from its investigation on "certain cases".

He pleaded that the Prime Minister should be directed to not to interfere in the affairs of the NAB, which is an independent institution and has the powers to hold investigation against any person involved in corrupt practices.

The next date of the hearing will be fixed by the court office.

Sharif last week said the NAB harasses the government officers and the bureau needs to reconsider its limits and approach of action.

"The NAB terrifies the government officers thus hindering them to perform their official work. The NAB officials enter the houses and offices of innocent people without verifying the authenticity of corruption or other charges if any. The NAB chairman should take notice of this otherwise the government will take legal action in this regard," Sharif had said.

Opposition has criticised the Prime Minister for interfering in the NAB's work.