The Supreme Court of Pakistan struck down amendments to the National Accountability Law on 15 September 2023. The amendments had been challenged by Imran Khan.
Chief Justice of Pakistan anounced the Two-in-one decision of allowing Imran Khan’s petition, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.
They said that all cases against public office holders that had been closed. The judgement will restore all the accountability cases against the politicians. The judgement has added that all such cases should be re-open within 7 days.
The verdict also invalidated a provision that stated NAB would not look into instances with a value of less than Rs. 500 million.
Plea agreements and the transfer of the burden of proof to the prosecution’s end have both been deemed invalid.
The judgement also invalidates revisions to the definitions of benami properties and assets beyond means.
The decision was made on Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial’s last day of service. 53 hearings were held in all for this matter.
On September 5, CJP Bandial reserved the decision, stating that the court will issue a “short and sweet” decision before his retirement.
53 hearings in total led to the announcement of the decision.
The NAB changes have limited the bureau’s ability to investigate corruption to cases totaling at least Rs. 500 million. The law had also restricted the A three-judge bench comprised of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justices Ijaz ul Ahsan, and Mansoor Ali Shah would make the announcement at 12:15 pm.
Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, petitioned the court in 2022 to invalidate a law that had been passed by the legislature when the Pakistan Democratic Movement was in power.
The chairman of the bureau’s term and mandated that any open inquiries be forwarded to the proper authorities.
Imran Khan said in the petition that the alterations were made to benefit “influential” people and to legitimise corruption.
