- The NAB ordinance was issued around midnight.
- The accused can be kept in custody for 30 days.
- PTI chief, wife summoned by anti-corruption body.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government further amended the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws, allowing the anti-corruption watchdog to detain an accused for up to 30 days.
Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani signed the NAB (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 late night after the approval of the federal cabinet.
According to the ordinance, the NAB chairman will be able to issue arrest warrants against the accused for non-cooperation in the investigation.
In June 2022, the coalition government introduced changes to the NAB law, reducing the period of physical remand from 90 days to 14 days.
There is no explanation from the authorities as to what was the hurry to change the law.
It is pertinent to mention that no Presidential Ordinance can be issued during the session of the National Assembly.
Technically, the assembly was not prorogued after the passage of the national budget on 24 June, as it was adjourned till 17 July.
The session was adjourned suddenly on Monday evening to make it possible to promulgate the ordinance, reports The News.
NAB summons PTI chief
Meanwhile, NAB Rawalpindi has also summoned former Prime Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Imran Khan in two separate cases today (Tuesday).
The PTI chief has been directed to appear before the monitor in the Toshakhana case and Bushra Bibi in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) UK settlement case.
Imran Khan and his wife were summoned thrice, but they did not appear in the cases, seeking fresh dates.
