NAB should explain why arrest of Ahsan Iqbal necessary, asks IHC CJ

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Thursday asked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to explain why arrest of PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal was necessary. While hearing a case into alleged corruption in the Narowal Sports Complex, the IHC top judge remarked that the NAB should explain why the arrest of Ahsan Iqbal was necessary. The NAB prosecutor told court that they feared tampering with the record if Ahsan Iqbal was not arrested. “Does NAB not have enough competence to complete the investigation into the case without arresting Ahsan Iqbal?” Justice Minallah questioned during the hearing. “Why should we not declare unjustified arrests by NAB illegal?,” the chief justice asked prosecutors in the courtroom. Upon hearing this, a representative of the body said that NAB feared Iqbal would try to influence the case by preventing witnesses from coming forward. “This sequence should end at one or another place. We will issue a detailed verdict on the NAB’s power to arrest people,” Justice Minullah remarked. Former minister Ahsan Iqbal, is a key suspect in the case and under NAB detention. Earlier, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal had moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for bail in the Narowal Sport Complex case. In the petition, Ahsan Iqbal contended that he did not face the allegation of bribe or illegal benefit. “I have never refused to appear before the NAB. I should be granted bail till the case verdict,” he said. Ahsan Iqbal stated that the NAB arrested him when he joined investigation on December 19. “I face the allegation that Narowal Sport Complex was a provincial matter, but it was constructed through the budget given by the federal government,” he said. In May 2018, the National Accountability Bureau had initiated probe against then minister for planning Ahsan Iqbal for his alleged involvement in irregularities committed in the sports city project.