Salahuddin Haider
FINALLY it come, a long awaited Supreme Court directive to National Accountability Bureau. The October 21 verdict by the three-judge bench bar adjournment in graft cases was timely, in fact, jewel of judgement. This was the need of the hour, for almost every single Pakistani, rich, poor, and the middle class segments of the society, old or young, was gradually getting disillusioned, disappointed by the inordinate delays on cases fled by NAB.
Often the superior courts, snubbed NAB prosecutors for failing to collect evidence, powerful enough to help the courts carry on with cases. Its earlier order to establish 120 new accountability courts to expedite cases of corruption, and wrog doings. The government sat over it, but has now awakened to realize its responsibility and the federal cabinet on Oct 27, agreed to set up these courts, but in phases for want of resources. In the beginning, 30 such courts will start working.
The task is onerous for appointment of judges, done mostly the ranks of the lawyers, is time-consuming process. Judges reputation, his integrity, emoluments, fringe benefits, is in itself demanding. However now that the government had taken a decision, augurs well for the society. Suffering at the hands of corrupt, looters, and plunderers.
The bench, headed by chief justice Gulzar Ahmad, directed the accountability courts to ensure that evidence of different witnesses is recorded without much ado. Time is essence of fulfilling such a necessity, for justice delayed tantamounts to justice denied. Action speaks louder than words. Superior courts were conscious of this, and they also directed th4 NAB prosecutor general to ensure that witnesses are timely produced before accountability courts. Procrastination in the name of expediency or law of necessity ought to be set aside.
This has to be done to rebuilt hope among people who often felt frustrated that those involved in amassing ill-gotten money went around freely after getting bail before arrest or during the pendency of the case.
Some Constitution experts feel that the Apex Court must also ban convicts from issuing statements. Those found guilty or declare illegible for holding public office or barred for life to take part in politics, must also be given a shut up call.
The NAB chairman Jsustice (retd) Javed Iqbal has been directed to ensure compliance with the court order in letter and spirit. Those found guilty of neglect, must be proceeded against for allowing them to sit over important issues, reflects poorly on the administration. The second major development of the week was two and a half hour long heated debated in the cabinet about price hike. Several ministers complained that bureaucracy was a hurdle in the implementation of the government policy framed for the welfare of the people.
The Prime Minister too must come to meeting, with notes in front, tasking the ministers to find solutions to problem, causing public unrest. Formation of commissions and committees will be nothing but mere lip service, experts point out.
