C.P. 3258 2017

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN
(Appellate Jurisdiction)
Present:
MR. JUSTICE MUSHIR ALAM
MR. JUSTICE QAZI FAEZ ISA
MR. JUSTICE MAZHAR ALAM KHAN MIANKHEL
CIVIL PETITION NO. 3258 OF 2017

(Against the judgment dated 11.03.2014
of the Lahore High Court, Lahore passed
in Writ Petition No. 2617/2011)
National Accountability Bureau (NAB)

through its Chairman, Islamabad …Petitioner
VERSUS
M/s Hudaibya Paper Mills Limited, Lahore and others. …Respondents
For the Petitioner : Mr. Imran-ul-Haq, Special Prosecutor, NAB.

Mr. Arshad Qayyum, Special Prosecutor, NAB.
Mr. Nasir Mughal, Special Prosecutor, NAB.
Ch. Farid-ul-Hassan, Special Prosecutor, NAB.
Mr. Ahmed Nawaz Chaudhry, AOR.
For the Respondents : Not represented.
Dates of Hearing : December, 11, 12 & 15, 2017.
JUDGMENT
Qazi Faez Isa J This petition assails the judgment of the Lahore High
Court, which had allowed Writ Petition No. 2617 of 2011 (hereinafter
referred to as “the writ petition”) filed by respondent Nos. 1 to 9 against
the National Accountability Bureau (“NAB”), the Federation of Pakistan
and the Accountability Court. The writ petition sought quashment of
Reference No. 5 of 2000 (“the Reference”) filed by NAB before the
Accountability Court. A learned Division Bench of the Lahore High Court,
comprising of Kh. Imtiaz Ahmad and Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan JJ

Civil Petition No. 3258 of 2017 2
allowed the writ petition and quashed the Reference unanimously.
However, Kh. Imtiaz Ahmad J in the ultimate sentence of the judgment
“clarified that the NAB authorities are competent to proceed against the
petitioners [respondent Nos. 1 to 9 herein] if the investigation is again
initiated in accordance with law”1. Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan J did
not agree with the addition of the said clarification because the
observation was uncalled for in the writ petition filed to quash the
Reference; it would, “be mistaken as an express permission by this Court
to initiate investigation afresh”2; no argument on the question of
reinvestigation was heard; no reinvestigation was done for over twelve
years; by allowing reinvestigation it would, “give premium to the
prosecution of their own fault” and would, “equip them with better tools for
combating/victimizing the petitioners at the hands of NAB authorities”3 .
2. In view of the difference of opinion with regard to the matter of
reinvestigation or fresh investigation Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan J
was appointed as the Referee Judge who agreed with the opinion of
Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan J and added that, “re-investigation of the
Reference, after about thirteen years of filing of Reference would be
contrary to the scheme of aforesaid law”4; and, NAB during the hearing of
the matter did not make, “any request for allowing them to re-investigate
the matter, therefore, there was no reason for making such an
1
Hudaibya Paper Mills Ltd. v Federation of Pakistan, PLD 2006 Lahore 667,
paragraph 19 at page 692.
2
Hudaibya Paper Mills Ltd. v Federation of Pakistan, PLD 2006 Lahore 667, at page
693Q.
3
698S.
4
682H.
observation”5. The petition for leave to appeal has assailed the entire
judgment of the learned Division Bench and of the Referee Judge with
regard to the quashment of the Reference and the majority view with
regard to the matter of reinvestigation.
3. The impugned judgment of the Lahore High Court is dated March
11, 2014 and the same could be challenged by filing a petition, “within
sixty days of the judgment, decree or final order sought to be appealed
from”6. The office of this Court records that this petition is “time barred
by 1229 days”; which is not denied by the petitioner. In respect of cases
mentioned in clause (2) of Article 185 of the Constitution of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan (“the Constitution”), an appeal can be filed as of
right, however, in respect of “a judgment, decree, order or sentence of a
High Court in a case to which clause (2) does not apply shall lie only if the
Supreme Court grants leave to appeal”. Therefore, if a person wants to
file an appeal he has a right to file it, however, a petition is entertained
only by leave of this Court. It therefore stands to reason that, if an
appeal is not filed within the stipulated time and time is sought to be
extended it should not be equated with the late filing of a petition
wherein too time is sought to be extended.
4. The petitioner has filed, not one but two, applications which seek
the delayed filing of the petition to be condoned. Civil Miscellaneous
Application (“CMA”) No. 6381 of 2017, which was filed along with the
petition on September 20, 2017, and CMA No. 8664 of 2017, which was
5
682I.
6
Supreme Court Rules 1980, Order XIII, Rule 1.
filed on November 27, 2017, a day before we first heard this petition.
The reason mentioned to condone the belated filing, in the first
application, is that, “NAB has decided to file CPLA” (civil petition for leave
to appeal) because of, “fresh material collected and submitted by the JIT”
(Joint Investigation Team, mentioned below in paragraph 19). The second
application alleges that the “Respondent No. 02 being the Chief Executive
of the Federation, in Power (sic) influenced in preventing filing of the
petition”, and the “non serious working of the judges of the High Court”.
5. This Court in the exercise of its constitutional jurisdiction or when
it is considering the grant of discretionary relief may decline to extend
time if it is inequitable to do so7. The conduct of the petitioner may also
be examined when considering condoning delay8. Therefore, it would be
appropriate to reflect on the conduct of NAB, and particularly whether it
vigilantly proceeded with the Reference filed by it before the
Accountability Court. We also need to examine whether respondent Nos.
1 to 9 employed tactics to procrastinate matters to their advantage
and/or had the requisite power or influence to subvert the course of
justice.
6. On October 12, 1999, General Pervez Musharraf, who was then
serving in the Army as its Chief of Army Staff, ousted the democratic-
constitutional order. “Proclamation of Emergency”9 issued by him on
7
Raunaq Ali v Chief Settlement Commissioner, PLD 1973 SC 236, at page 258E; and
Zameer Ahmad v Bashir Ahmad, 1988 SCMR 516, at page 517A.
8
Karamat Hussain v Muhammad Zaman, PLD 1987 Supreme Court 139, at page
144; Muhammad Shafi v Shamim Khanum, 2007 SCMR 838, at page 842E; and
Province of Punjab v Baz Khan, 2012 SCMR 51, at page 53A.
9
Proclamation of Emergency Order, PLD 1999 Central Statutes 448.
October 14, 1999, given retrospective effect from October 12, 1999,
stated that “Emergency” had been proclaimed and that General
Musharraf had assumed “the office of the Chief Executive of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan”, put into “abeyance” the Constitution, “suspended”
the “National Assembly, the Provincial Assemblies and Senate”, which he
later “dissolved”10, dismissed the Prime Minister, all the Governors, Chief
Ministers, Federal and Provincial Ministers, and placed Pakistan, “under
the control of the Armed Forces”. The same day General Musharraf also
enacted the “Provisional Constitution Order 1 of 1999”11 (“PCO”) which,
amongst other things, stipulated that, “the Supreme Court or High Courts
and any other Court shall not have the powers to make any order against
the Chief Executive”, that is against himself, or to question the
Proclamation of Emergency, the PCO or any order issued by him. He also
gave himself the power to legislate. In addition to continuing as the Chief
of the Army Staff General Musharraf assumed all executive and
legislative powers. From the third pillar of the State, the superior
judiciary, he extracted an oath of tacit loyalty requiring the judges to
abide by the Proclamation of Emergency and the PCO12. Those judges
who did not take this oath were removed from office. Just a month after
assuming power General Musharraf enacted the National Accountability
Bureau Ordinance, 199913 (“NAB Ordinance”) and appointed a serving
General, Lieutenant General Syed Muhammad Amjad, to head NAB in
the capacity of its Chairman.
10
Chief Executive’s Order 2 of 2001, PLD 2001 Central Statutes 391.
11
Provisional Constitution Order 1 of 1999, PLD 1999 Federal Statutes 446.
12
Oath of Office (Judges) Order, 2000, PLD 2000 Central Statutes 86.
13
National Accountability Ordinance 1999, PLD 2000 Federal Statutes 57
7. Lieutenant General Syed Muhammad Amjad, the Chairman NAB,
filed a reference on March 27, 2000 pursuant to section 18 (g) of the NAB
Ordinance, which was numbered as Reference No. 5 of 2000. Another
reference under the same provision of law was filed by the next
Chairman of NAB, another serving General, Lieutenant General Khalid
Maqbool, on November 16, 2000, which referred to the earlier one as an
“interim reference”. Mr. Imran-ul-Haq, the learned Special Prosecutor,
NAB (“the Prosecutor”), refers to the Reference dated March 27, 2000 as
the “Interim Reference”, and the Reference dated November 16, 2000 as
the “Final Reference”, therefore, we shall use the same terminology,
even though the Reference dated March 27, 2000 does not state that it is
an “Interim Reference”. The Interim and Final references collectively shall
be referred to as “the References”. The References stated that they are,
“against M/s Hudaibya Paper Mills Ltd. and its Directors for the
commission of the offences under section 9 of the NAB Ordinance”.
8. A little over a year after the filing of the Reference No. 5 of 2000, on
April 12, 2001 the Additional Prosecutor General, NAB, “requested that
the reference at present be adjourned sine die. Whenever it is deemed
legal that further proceedings be taken in the reference we will move an
application in this regard”. The Accountability Court accepted NAB’s
request and indefinitely adjourned the Reference that is “adjourned it
sine die”. The Reference was adjourned sine die by the Court on the very
day that the request was made by NAB. Six years later, on August 2,
2007, the Deputy Prosecutor General NAB submitted an application
stating that the Reference which had been “adjourned sine die to be
resurrected” and, “accordingly prayed that the trial of the Reference be

ordered to be re-commenced”. On August 17, 2007 the Accountability
Court announced its order allowing the application, the penultimate
paragraph, which contains the reason for doing so, is reproduced:
“I have heard the preliminary arguments from the

side of prosecution. Since the reference was
adjourned Sine Die therefore there is no illegality in
its restoration for purposes of commencement of the
trial. The application is allowed accordingly”14.
The respondents were not given notice of NAB’s application nor
were they heard by the Accountability Court before granting the
Application.
9. The case was then fixed before the Accountability Court on August
25, and then on September 7, 2007 and it was adjourned on both these
dates. On September 13, 2007 the Accountability Court noted that NAB
had been seeking adjournments, and that if they did so again on the next
date of hearing the Reference may be adjourned “sine die once again”.
On the next day, that is October 18, 2007, the case was adjourned to
October 19, 2007, when it was again adjourned to November 8, 2007 and
then adjourned to November 22, 2007, and further adjourned to
December 5, 2007, on which date the Accountability Court directed, the
Prosecutor General Accountability of NAB (“PGA”), “the PGA shall appear
on the next date to make it clear as to whether Government intends to
prosecute accused persons or not”. However, on January 12, 2008 the
PGA sought time and the case was adjourned to February 21, 2008,
when NAB again sought time and the case was adjourned to March 28,
2008, when once again adjournment was sought by NAB and the case
was adjourned to May 8, 2008, however the Accountability Court

14
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, Part 1, at page 105.
observed that, “long adjournment has been requested from the side of
prosecution”. Notwithstanding the long adjournment NAB again sought
an adjournment on May 22, 2008, which was the next date, when it was
adjourned to June 19, 2008, but NAB again sought adjournment and the
case was adjourned to July 31, 2008, continuing the litany of
adjournments requested by NAB. The NAB Ordinance mandates that “the
case shall be heard from day to day and disposed of within 30 days” 15.
On August 21, 2008 the Accountability Court noted, “this court cannot
keep this file pending for purposes of simple adjournments only. The
reference is again adjourned Sine Die till an application is moved by
Chairman NAB Islamabad for commencement of trial”.
10. Instead of simply complying with the aforesaid order, and the
Chairman NAB signing an application himself, PGA filed an application
under section 369 of the Code of Criminal Procedure16 (“the Code”)
stating that the Accountability Court had committed an error in
adjourning the Reference sine die. On August 23, 2008 the
Accountability Court ordered that the application be heard on September
4, 2008, however, the case was adjourned on the said date and on the
following dates, October 7, 2008 and November 7, 2008. On November
12, 2008 NAB was not represented before the Accountability Court,
consequently, NAB’s application was dismissed for non-prosecution. The
application was not sought to be restored by NAB.
15
National Accountability Ordinance 1999, PLD 2000 Federal Statutes 57, section 16,
clause (a); see Muhammad Saeed Mehdi v State, 2002 SCMR 282, at page 282F.
16
Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, Act V of 1898.
11. After about fifteen months, on February 17, 2010, NAB submitted
another application for the revival/restoration of the case, but this
application too was not filed by the Chairman NAB. On February 22,
2010 when the application was listed for hearing the learned Judge was
on leave and the matter was adjourned to February 24, 2010 when NAB
sought an adjournment and the case was adjourned to March 10, 2010
when NAB filed an authorization, which authorized the Additional
Deputy Prosecutor General Accountability to pursue the matter, and the
case was adjourned to March 19, 2010 on which date the case was
adjourned, because the learned Judge had died. On April 8, 2010 NAB
sought an adjournment. On April 9, 2010 NAB again sought an
adjournment and the case was adjourned to April 16, 2010 when NAB’s
application was heard, and April 24, 2010 was fixed as the date for
announcing the decision on the said application, but it could not be
announced and the case was adjourned to April 26, 2010, on which date
for want of time it was also adjourned. On May 3, 2010 the application
was disposed of by a three page order which concluded as under:
“In view of above discussion the application is

disposed of with an observation that the NAB is to
submit fresh application duly signed by the
Chairman in the light of direction contained in the
order dated 21.08.2008 passed by the then learned
Judge Accountability Court No. IV, Rawalpindi /
Islamabad”17.
12. NAB neither complied with the order of the Accountability Court
dated August 21, 2008 nor with the order of May 3, 2010, which
reiterated the earlier order, requiring that an application signed by the
Chairman NAB be filed. NAB also did not assail either of these orders.
17
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, Part 1, at page 128.
This took place when General Musharraf was the Chief
Executive/President and his nominees were the Chairmen of NAB
(details of which are mentioned in paragraph 24 below).
13. On October 17, 2011 respondents Nos. 1 to 9 filed the writ
petition. The writ petition, amongst other things, sought the quashment
of the Reference. It was alleged in the writ petition, “that at present the
status of the impugned reference is that no progress has been made and
the trial has been adjourned sine die to be resurrected at any time at the
behest of the government acting through NAB and hangs as the proverbial
sword of Damocles on the Petitioners”18. It was further alleged that, “the
fact of the matter is that firstly Musharraf regime and now at the behest of
the PPP-P regime, NAB is deliberately holding back this case and waiting
for an appropriate time to misuse it against the Petitioners interest with
obvious ulterior motives. This fact by itself is sufficient to establish the
mala fides involved in the preparation and filing of this Reference. The
threat of a criminal trial to be deliberately kept pending, as in a cold
storage, for more than ten years clearly infringes the Petitioner’s fair trial
rights and amounts to a travesty of justice”19.
14. On October 18, 2011 a learned Division Bench of the Lahore High
Court, comprising of Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan (before his lordship’s elevation
to this Court) and Justice Abdul Waheed Khan, passed the following
order in the writ petition:
18
CPLA 3258/2017, Writ Petition No. 2617/2011, page 74 at paragraph 22.
19
CPLA 3258/2017, Writ Petition No. 2617/2011, page 74, grounds F and G.
“Mr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, Ms. Natalia Kamal

and Mr. Sharjeel Shaheryar, Advocates, for
petitioners.
Mr. Baber Ali, Standing Counsel for respondent No.
1, on call.
M/s Mian Hanif Tahir, Incharge Prosecution Division,
Ch. Muhammad Riaz, Senior Prosecutor and
Barrister Saeed ur Rehman, Special Prosecutor, NAB.
Through this Constitutional Petition, the petitioners

seek quashment of a Reference filed against the
petitioners by respondent No. 2 on 27.3.2000 before
the Accountability Court, Rawalpindi. On 12.4.2001,
when the Reference came up for hearing, a request
was made by the Additional Prosecutor General NAB
to adjourn the same sine die for the reason that some
of the accused persons were not available in
Pakistan. Subsequently, on 2.8.2007, an application
for recommencement of the trial was filed. However,
no further proceedings took place. Despite the fact
that the petitioners returned to Pakistan on
25.11.2007, the Reference has been kept pending
despite lapse of more than eleven years from the date
of its filing.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits

that the Reference is based on no evidence, is
violative of the fundamental rights of the petitioners,
has been prepared and submitted without observing
due process of law including provisions of the NAB
Ordinance and is patently mala fide. He argues that
the Reference is being kept pending for use at the
appropriate time as a tool for political victimization
and arm-twisting, rather than for any bona fide
purpose of transparent accountability. Adds that the
mala fides of the respondent is evident from the fact
that despite lapse of about four years since the
petitioners have returned, the matter has deliberately
been kept in cold storage to keep a Damocles sword
hanging over the heads of the petitioners to gain
political leverage. The learned counsel further
submits that the concept of sine die adjournment is
alien to criminal jurisprudence which envisages
separation of trials of accused persons who are
available for prosecution and those who are not. He
maintains that the right to a fair trial is a
fundamental right enshrined in Article 10-A of the
Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Adds
that the said right includes that right to a trial
without undue delay. The said right is blatantly being
violated. The learned counsel further submits that a
bare perusal of the record indicates that the
mandatory provisions prescribed for commencing,
initiating or conducting any inquiry, investigation or

proceedings in respect of the alleged offences have
not been complied with. Consequently all actions
taken by the respondents are illegal and void. It is
pointed out that a Full Bench of this Court in its
Judgment reported as Hudabiya Engineering (Pvt)
Limited Vs. Pakistan through Secretary, Ministry of
Interior, Government of Pakistan and six others (PLD
1998 Lahore 90) has already dealt with the core
issues raised in the Reference. He finally argues that
in the first place filing the aforesaid Reference and
then keeping the same adjourned sine die is ex facie
mala fide, illegal and gross abuse of the process of
law.
3. Let notice be issued to the respondents.
4. At his stage, Mr. Baber Ali, Standing Counsel

and Mian Hanif Tahir, Advocate, Incharge
Prosecution Division, NAB, have entered appearance.
They accept notice on behalf of respondents Nos. 1
and 2. No notice need be issued to them. Let copies of
this petition be handed over to the said learned
counsels. They seek time to obtain instructions and
file comments. With the consent of the learned
counsels for the parties, the matter is fixed for
hearing on 17.11.2011.
5. In view of the fact that vires of certain

provisions of law have been challenged, notice shall
also be issued to the Attorney General for Pakistan.
C.M.1/2011
Exemption sought for is allowed, subject to all just

and legal exceptions. C.M. stands disposed of.
STAY MATTER
Subject to notice for 17.11.2011 and till the next date

of hearing, respondent No. 1 shall not proceed with
the Reference. However, this order shall not affect
any application that may be moved by respondent No.
2 for revival of the Reference”20.
15. It was only after respondent Nos. 1 to 9 had filed the writ petition
that NAB finally complied with the orders of the Accountability Court,
20
Lahore High Court Order dated October 18, 2011, CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA
3258/2017, at page 133.
requiring NAB to file an application under the signature of its Chairman.
An “Application for Revival/Restoration of the Reference”21 was filed on
July 17, 2012 in the Accountability Court under the signature of the
then Chairman NAB, namely, retired Admiral Fasih Bokhari.
16. The learned Prosecutor submits that NAB could not proceed with
the Reference on account of the stay order of the High Court. This
contention however is contrary to the record because the learned Bench
had specifically clarified that the, “order shall not affect any application
that may be moved by respondent No. 2 [NAB] for revival of the Reference”.
The fact that an application signed by Chairman NAB for the restoration
of the Reference was filed after the High Court’s order was passed also
negates the contention.
17. Pursuant to the General Elections held on February 18, 2008 the
Pakistan Peoples Party formed the Federal Government and its
candidate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani became the Prime Minister of
Pakistan. On September 5, 2008 the Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate
Mr. Asif Ali Zardari became the President of the Pakistan. NAB finally
filed the afore-mentioned application, signed by Chairman NAB seeking
the revival/restoration of the Reference, on July 17, 2012 when Mr. Asif
Ali Zardari was President and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was the Prime Minister
of Pakistan, and Chairman NAB was appointed by the Pakistan Peoples
Party government. NAB complied with the order of the Accountability
Court, passed almost four years earlier on August 21, 2008, however, it
did not have the reference revived/restored.
21
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, at page 131.
18. We pointedly asked the learned Prosecutor how NAB would
proceed with the Reference, even if the impugned judgment of the High
Court was set aside, because the Reference had not been
revived/restored, to which the learned Prosecutor had no answer.
Respondent Nos. 1 to 9 had themselves come forward to remove, what
they categorized as the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
Assuming that the writ petition was dismissed it would make no real
difference because the Reference was not revived/restored.
19. In seeking to set aside the impugned judgments the learned
Prosecutor contends that this Court, in the case of Imran Ahmad Khan
Niazi v Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif22 (popularly referred to as the
“Panama Papers case”), had directed that an investigation into the
Company be conducted by the Joint Investigation Team (“JIT”). This
Court, according to the learned Prosecutor, had further directed that the
judgment of the High Court be assailed as it deserves to be set aside. Let
us examine whether these contentions are correct. The judgment of the
Panama Papers case is, “By a majority of 3 to 2 (Asif Saeed Khan Khosa
and Gulzar Ahmed JJ) dissenting”23. The majority constituted a six
member JIT team, comprising of the representatives of the: Federal
Investigation Agency, NAB, Security and Exchange Commission, State
Bank of Pakistan, Inter Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence 24
and directed JIT to submit its report with regard to a number of
22
Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi v Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, PLD 2017 SC 265.
23
Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi v Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, PLD 2017 SC 265, at
page 658.
24
Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi v Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, PLD 2017 SC 265, at
page 659 to 670.
companies, but which did not include Hudaibya Paper Mills Limited (“the
Company”). But, be that as it may, JIT delved into the matter of the
Company in its report. Subsequently, three learned judges of this Court
disposed of the petition filed by Mr. Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi (C.P. No.
29 of 2016) and the connected petitions filed by Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed
(C.P. No. 30 of 2016) and Mr. Siraj-ul-Haq (C.P. No. 3 of 2017) through a
common judgment dated July 28, 201725. The said judgment records the
contention of Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s counsel: “Learned Sr. ASC
appearing for Respondent No. 1 contended that JIT overstepped its
mandate by reopening the case of Hudabiya Paper Mills when it was not
so directed by the Court; that another investigation or inquiry shall also be
barred by the principle of double jeopardy when the Reference relating to
the said Mills was quashed in the case of Hudabiya Paper Mills Limited. v.
Federation of Pakistan (PLD 2016 Lahore 667)”26. This Court attended to
the said concern and observed that, “The argument that the JIT
overstepped its authority by reopening the case of Hudabiya Paper Mills
when Reference No. 5 was quashed by the High Court does not appear to
be correct as the JIT has simply made recommendations in this behalf
which can better be dealt with by this Court if and when an appeal, before
this Court, as has been undertaken by Special Prosecutor, NAB, is filed”27.
The judgment of this Court in the Panama Papers case did not issue a
direction as contended by the learned Prosecutor. The learned Prosecutor
then referred to the judgment of Asif Saeed Khan Khosa J which,
25
Imran Ahmed Khan v Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, PLD 2017 SC 692.
26
Imran Ahmed Khan v Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, PLD 2017 SC 692, page 702 to
703, at paragraph 4.
27
according to him, contains such a direction, however, his Lordship’s
judgment too does not contain such a direction:
“The circumstances in which Reference No. 5 of 2000

filed by the National Accountability Bureau had been
quashed and reinvestigation of the matter was held
by the High Court to be impermissible might have
tempted me to issue a direction to the State or the
National Accountability Bureau to challenge the said
judgment of the High Court before this Court through
a time-barred petition/appeal but I have found it to
be inappropriate for an appellate court to direct a
party to a case to file a petition or an appeal before it
in a matter decided by a Court below. Issuance of
such a direction can have the effect of compromising
the impartiality of the appellate court and clouding
its neutrality and, thus, I have restrained myself from
issuing the direction prayed for”28.
20. The learned Prosecutor then proceeded to make a novel
submission, that the latent intent of the Panama Papers case judgment
required NAB to file this petition and to have the impugned judgment of
the High Court set aside. If this contention is accepted it would mean
that this petition is not a petition for leave to appeal but an appeal, and
therefore hearing the petition is an exercise in futility. This Court in its
judgment in the Panama Papers case had categorically stated that the
matter will be attended to when it is brought before this Court, which is
exactly what we are doing. Therefore, the submission arises out of a
misreading of the Panama Papers case judgment.
21. This petition was filed on September 20, 2017 and is time-barred
by 1,229 days. The reasons put forward, to extend time and to condone
this extraordinarily long period, are mentioned above (in paragraph 4).
We have already dealt with the matter of the purported influence. As to
28
the purported discovery of fresh material, the learned Prosecutor states
that additional foreign currency accounts have been unearthed by JIT. If
this is so it cannot be categorized as fresh material, because such type of
evidence was already in NAB’s possession. As regards that JIT had
“recommended that the NAB may be ordered to file an appeal” is
worrisome. NAB is a statutory body and is expected to act independently;
it should not have foregone its independence to act on the behest of the
JIT. With regards to the learned judges’ purported “non serious working”
this cryptic allegation is not supported by a single fact. Therefore, to
make such an allegation is utterly inappropriate and verges on contempt.
Merely because NAB considers a particular case to be “important”, as
was repeatedly stated with regard to the Reference by the learned
Prosecutor, it should not lose objectivity and abandon propriety.
22. The References were filed against respondent Nos. 1 to 9 in the
year 2000, and were based on the opening of the alleged benami foreign
currency accounts in the year 1992, or earlier, and it was alleged that
the monies from such accounts were converted into rupees and then
invested into the Company. The purported offence was, therefore,
committed over twenty five years ago. Though the petitioner seeks the
delay of 1,229 days to be condoned, we can not be unmindful of the
preceding seventeen years and the time that the matter was investigated,
prosecuted and kept pending by NAB. The “fair trial and due process”
requirement has been elevated to the status of a Fundamental Right
when the Constitution was amended and Article 10A was inserted
through the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2010 29. Further
guidance may also be had from the Principles of Policy set out in the
Constitution which, include the provision of “expeditious justice”30. It “is
the responsibility of each organ and authority of the State, and of each
person performing functions on behalf of an organ or authority of the State,
to act in accordance with those Principles”31. Another Fundamental Right,
enshrined in the Constitution is that, “no person shall be prosecuted or
punished for the same offence more than once”32. It is also an inalienable
right of every citizen, “to enjoy the protection of law and to be treated in
accordance with law”33. Reading these constitutional provisions together
it becomes clear that a person cannot indefinitely await the pleasure of a
prosecuting agency to prosecute him. If this is allowed prosecution
becomes persecution, “and persecution (or oppression) is worse than
death (or killing)”34.
23. We may however clarify, and it is an important clarification, that if
a person interferes with or hampers the investigation, colludes with the
prosecution and/or disrupts the process of the Court he can not
complain if his prosecution does not conclude. The record of this case,
however, makes it clear that respondent Nos. 1 to 9 were subjected to
intensive investigation and by those who would be considered inimical to
them. Respondent Nos. 2 and 3, respectively the Prime Minister of
29
Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act 2010 (10 of 2010), PLD 2010 Federal
Statutes 3.
30
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Article 37, clause (d).
31
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Article 29, clause (1).
32
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Article 13, clause (a).
33
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Article 4, clause (1).
34
The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (2), verse 191; The Constitution of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, Article 227.
Pakistan and the Chief Minister of the Punjab, were deposed and taken
into custody and remained incarcerated till their exile, and they were not
allowed to return to Pakistan. Eventually they managed to get back into
the country because of the directions issued by this Court. The animus
towards respondent No. 2 can also be gathered from the fact that the
sentence of imprisonment for life, awarded to him by the Trial Court in
the hijacking case, was sought to be enhanced to death.
24. That since NAB alleges that the respondent No. 2 had influenced
NAB we asked the learned Prosecutor to provide the names and tenures
of the Chairmen of NAB, and who had appointed them. NAB provided the
information35. The Chairmen of NAB appointed by General Musharraf
were: Lieutenant General Syed Muhammad Amjad who served from
November 16, 1999 till September 25, 2000 followed by Lieutenant
General Khalid Maqbool who served from September 26, 2000 till
October 26, 2001 followed by Lieutenant General Munir Hafeez who
served from November 1, 2001 till October 31, 2005, followed by retired
Lieutenant General Shahid Aziz who served from November 11, 2005 till
July 3, 2007. Those appointed during the tenure of the Pakistan Peoples
Party’s government were: Mr. Naveed Ahsan, a retired Federal Secretary,
who served from July 6, 2007 till June 14, 2010 followed by retired
Justice Syed Deedar Hussain Shah who served from October 8, 2010 till
March 10, 2011 followed by retired Admiral Fasih Bokhari who served
from October 16, 2011 till May 28, 2013. Those appointed during the
tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) government were: retired
Major Qamar Zaman, a retired Federal Secretary, who served from
35
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, part 1, at page 4.
October 11, 2013 till October 10, 2017 followed by retired Justice Javed
Iqbal who was appointed on October 11, 2017 and is the present
Chairman NAB. The tenure of the Chairman, NAB initially was for a
period of three years, which was later increased to four years. The NAB
Ordinance stipulates that the Chairman “shall not be removed except on
the grounds of removal of Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan” 36,
however, only one of the four Chairmen appointed by General Musharraf
completed the stipulated statutory period.
25. The Final Reference also states that the Respondents 2 and 3 “in
order to launder and conceal their ill-gotten wealth” had “opened fictitious
foreign currency accounts”. It is not clear whether the reference to
“launder” wealth is an allegation of “money laundering”. JIT’s report
refers to “money laundering” that took place in 1991-199237. However,
money laundering was made an offence in Pakistan when the Anti-Money
Laundering Ordinance, 2007 38 was enacted on September 7, 2007.
Neither in the years 1991-1992 nor when the References were filed, in
the year 2000, did money laundering constitute an offence. There is
another aspect to consider. The term money laundering, as defined in the
said Ordinance and then Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 39, state that
it emanates from “proceeds of crime”. However, NAB doesn’t allege that
the monies in the foreign currency accounts were proceeds of crime.
36
clause (a), sub-clause (i).
37
Joint Investigation Team Panama Case, Volume VIII-A, page 3, at paragraph 6,
sub-paragraph G.
38
Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, 2007, PLD 2007 Federal Statutes 348.
39
Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, PLD 2010 Unreported Statutes 1.
Additionally, a money laundering case is to be tried by a Session’s Court,
and not by an Accountability Court under the NAB Ordinance.
26. A reference filed under the NAB Ordinance should mention the
offence and also set out the particulars of the offence allegedly
committed; this not only enables the Court to frame a charge in terms
thereof but also puts the accused on notice with regard to the allegation
he is supposed to defend40. Subsection (2) of section 221 of the Code
stipulates that if the law describes the offence by a specific name it
should be so mentioned, and subsection (4) of section 221 of the Code
states that both the law and its particular section is to be mentioned in
the charge “the criminal Courts naturally take the precaution of framing
charges with sufficient precision and particularity in order to ensure a fair
trial; … the requirements of procedure are generally intended to subserve
the ends of justice”41. Once a formal charge is framed by the Court it calls
upon the person accused of the offence to state whether he pleads guilty
to the charge or denies it42. Thereafter, the trial commences. Section 17
of the NAB Ordinance specifically provides that the provisions of the
Code shall apply, unless they are inconsistent with those of the NAB
Ordinance. With regard to the present case there is no inconsistency.
Therefore, we are quite surprised to learn that no charge was ever framed
against respondent Nos. 1 to 9. In addition to this inexplicable
transgression of the law the record of the Accountability Court reveals
that the said respondents were never produced before the Court,
40
M. Younus Habib v State, PLD 2006 Supreme Court 153, at page 156A.
41
Chittaranjan Das v State of West Bengal, AIR 1963 Supreme Court 1696, at page
1699, column 2.
42
Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, Act V of 1898, sections 242, 265-D and 265-E.
contrary to the provisions of section 353 of the Code, and there is
nothing on record to show that the personal attendance of the accused
was dispensed with.
27. There is another matter which is deeply disconcerting. The
Accountability Court was set up in Attock Fort, which was under the
control of the Military and to which there was no public access. The
reason for the unusual choice of venue was mentioned in the Final
Reference: “the personalities involved and the ever present danger to the
security of all persons involved in the trial of the accused, it is deemed
necessary and appropriate in the interest of justice, fair play, and
transparency of proceedings that this Reference be filed in the Hon’ble
Court Attock Fort”. Section 352 of the Code mandates “courts to be open”
to which the public has access. Undoubtedly, the section enables the
court to restrict the presence of the public when this is deemed
necessary. The location of the Accountability Court in the Attock Fort
was determined by the Chairman NAB though he had no power to do so.
In the case of Emperor v Md. Ebrahim 43 Derbyshire CJ writing for the
Division Bench, took exception to, receiving “instruction from an outside
source”, which “is open to the gravest objection”44. The Chairman felt that
the “interest of justice, fair play and transparency of proceedings” required
the case to be tried in the inaccessible Attock Fort; even though it
deprived the accused of an open trial. A novel concept justified by using
cherished words - interest of justice, fair play and transparency of
proceedings. However, using agreeable words do not transform an
43
Emperor v Md. Ebrahim, AIR 1942 Cal. 219.
44
Emperor v Md. Ebrahim, AIR 1942 Cal. 219
inaccessible Military Fort into an open courtroom. Justice must not only
be done but be seen to be done. Public trial secures the impartial
administration of justice. In the case of Ali Nawaz v Mohammad Yusuf 45
a five member Bench of this Court dismissed the request to hold in-
camera proceedings. It had been averred that in-camera proceedings
would be appropriate because it involved a high officer of the
Government who also held military rank. The Court however held the
trial should take place in public, and all the more, “at a time when the
country lay under Martial Law, were compelling considerations that
favoured an open trial so that justice should not only be done but should
manifestly be seen to be done. The learned trial Judge therefore does not
appear to have exercised his discretion improperly in ordering an open
trial” (per S. A. Rehman J)46.
28. The References were based on an anonymous complaint which
referred to, “the balance sheet of the Company for the year ending June
30, 1998” and alleged that unexplained investments amounting to
642.743 million rupees were made in the Company. The complaint
further alleged that amounts drawn from the foreign currency accounts
were converted into rupees and injected into the Company and this was
done because the directors of the Company did not have sufficient legally
declared money. The References reiterated the contents of the complaint
and state that the said foreign currency accounts and the monies in it
were benami which belonged to some of the respondents. We enquired
whether respondents Nos. 1 to 9 were called upon to explain the
45
Ali Nawaz v Mohammad Yusuf, PLD 1963 SC 51.
46
Ali Nawaz v Mohammad Yusuf, PLD 1963 SC 51, at page 83AA-84.
allegations and the learned Prosecutor states that there is nothing on
record to confirm this. In response to the query, whether opening the
said accounts and investing monies from the account into the Company
constituted a criminal offence, the learned Prosecutor referred to section
9 (v) and (vi) of the NAB Ordinance. Neither the Interim Reference nor the
Final Reference refers to any particular provision of section 9 of the NAB
Ordinance, however leaving this aside, let us examine the said
provisions:
“9. Corruption and corrupt practices.
(a) A holder of a public office, or any other person, is

said to commit or to have committed the offence of
corruption and corrupt practices--”
“(v) if he or any of his dependents or

benamidars owns, possesses, or has any right or
title in any movable or immovable property or
pecuniary resources disproportionate to his
known sources of income, which he cannot
reasonably account for;”
“(vi) misuses his authority so as to gain any

benefit or favour for himself or any other person,
or to render or attempt to do so;”47
The References also do not mention the ingredients which
constitute the aforesaid offences; they do not allege that respondent Nos.
2 to 9 had assets “disproportionate” to their “known sources of income”
which they could not “reasonably account for” and/or had misused their
“authority to gain any benefit or favour for himself or any other person”.
29. The learned Prosecutor also referred to the statement of Mr.
Muhammad Ishaq Dar dated April 25, 200048, and placed considerable
47
clause (v) and (vi).
48
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, part 1, at page 138 to 188.
reliance thereon. Mr. Dar’s statement was recorded before a Magistrate of
the First Class. We enquired from the learned Prosecutor whether Mr.
Dar’s statement was under section 164 of the Code because the JIT
report refers to it as such49. He categorically stated that Mr. Dar’s
statement was not a statement under section 164 of the Code, but one
under 26 of the NAB Ordinance, which provides for the “Tender of
Pardon to Accomplice/Plea-Bargaining” and in this regard referred to Mr.
Dar’s letter50 addressed to the Chairman, NAB titled “Tender of Pardon”
and the order of the Chairman, NAB dated April 21, 2000 51 whereby the
Chairman in exercise of powers conferred on him under section 26 of the
NAB Ordinance tendered, “full pardon to Mr. Ishaq Dar”. The learned
judges of the High Court in the impugned judgment correctly observed
that a Magistrate was not competent to record a statement under section
26 (e) of the NAB Ordinance. Such statement could only be recorded
“before the Chairman, NAB or the Court”52. The NAB Ordinance was later
amended on July 5, 2000 53 to enable a statement to be recorded by a
Magistrate. Section 26 (e) of the NAB Ordinance when Mr. Dar’s
statement was recorded and after the amendment made thereto are
reproduced hereunder:
Original un-amended section 26 (e) of the NAB Ordinance:
“(e) Any statement made before the Chairman NAB or

the Court by a person who has accepted a tender of
49
Joint Investigation Team Report, Volume VIII-A, page 3 and 4, at paragraph 6, sub-
paragraph (a) and (f).
50
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, part 1, at page 143; Joint Investigation Team
Report, Volume VIII-A, Appendix I, page 4.
51
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, part 1, at page 142; Joint Investigation Team
Report, Volume VIII-A, Appendix I, page 3.
52
clause (e).
53
National Accountability Bureau (Second Amendment) Ordinance No. XXIV of 2000,
dated July 5, 2000.
pardon may be given in evidence against him at such

trial”54.
Amended section 26 (e) of the NAB Ordinance:
“(e) Any statement made before a Magistrate by a

person who has accepted a tender of pardon may be
given in evidence against him at the trial”55.
30. In view of the aforesaid legal position and the order of the
Chairman it is quite clear that the statement attributed to Mr. Dar could
not be categorized as one made under section 164 of the Code. And, as it
was not recorded before the Chairman NAB nor before the Accountability
Court it can also not be categorized as one under section 26 (e) of the
NAB Ordinance. Moreover, if a section 164 statement is a confessional
statement it, “must either admit in terms of the offence or at any rate
substantially all the facts which constitute the offence”56. Mr. Dar’s
statement is also self-exculpatory, he states, “I have never obtained any
illegal personal benefits of these funds”. The Privy Council has held:
“no statement that contains self exculpatory matter

can amount to a confession, if the exculpatory
statement is of some fact which if true would negative
the offence alleged to be confessed. Moreover, a
confession must either admit in terms the offence, or
at any rate substantially all the facts which constitute
the offence” (per Lord Atkin)57.
31. To enable a statement recorded under section 164 of the Code to
be used against an accused, it must be recorded “in the presence of the
accused, and the accused given an opportunity of cross-examining the
54
National Accountability Ordinance 1999, PLD 2000 Federal Statutes 57, section 26
(e).
55
National Accountability Ordinance 1999, as amended by National Accountability
Bureau (Second Amendment) Ordinance No. XXIV of 2000, dated July 5, 2000, PLD
2000 Central Statutes 360.
56
Liaqat Bahadur v State, PLD 1987 FSC 43, at page 49F.
57
Narayana Swami v Emperor, AIR 1939 Privy Council 47, at page 52, column 2.
witness making the statement”58. Mr. Dar’s statement says that the
“money [in the foreign currency accounts] was/is owned by the Sharif
family”59, therefore, if this statement is to be treated as a statement
under section 164 of the Code and sought to be used against the Sharif
family it should have been recorded in their presence and they should
have been given the opportunity to cross-examine Mr. Dar. As this was
not done the law does not permit its use against the Sharif family.
32. The learned Prosecutor stated that the exile was by mutual
agreement, and respondent Nos. 2 and 3 did not want to return to
Pakistan with a view to avoid prosecution. Exile is alien to the laws of
Pakistan; lawyers and judges must not give credence to it because we
then run the risk of the concept of exile gaining traction and causing
harm to the administration of the criminal legal system. A purported
document, which mentions exile, even if reduced into writing, does not
constitute an agreement or a contract in law. If such a document is
executed with an incarcerated person accused of a crime it would not be
entered into with “free consent”60. Such an agreement will also not be for
“a lawful consideration and with a lawful object”61 and it would therefore
be void. In any event the State and those who have the physical custody
of an accused are responsible to produce him in Court and cannot exile
him. It is an offence62 punishable with rigorous imprisonment for up to
58
Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, section 164 (1-A); see also section 265-J; State v
Mir Nabi Bakhsh Khan Khoso, 1986 PCr.LJ 1130, at 1141J; Muhammad Ismail v
State, 1985 PCr.LJ 713, at 717A; Ghulam Muhammad v State, 1985 PCr.LJ 829, at
833A; Abdul Hakeem v State, PLD 1982 Karachi 975, at 980B.
59
CMA 9233/2017 in CPLA 3258/2017, part 1, at page 188.
60
Contract Act 1872, Act IX of 1872, sections 10 and 14.
61
Contract Act 1872, Act IX of 1872, section 10.
62
NAB Ordinance 1999, PLD 2000 Federal Statutes 57, section 31, sub-section (a).
ten years, if any person compromises, hampers, jeopardizes or defeats
any investigation under process before NAB or the Accountability Court.
Respondent Nos. 2 and 3 could not exile themselves. The person or
persons who had exiled respondent Nos. 2 and 3 would be deemed to
have compromised, hampered, jeopardized and/or defeated the legal
process; however, NAB did not launch a prosecution against them.
33. The contention of the learned Prosecutor that respondent Nos. 2
and 3 wanted to remain in exile is also contrary to the facts, as they were
not allowed to return to Pakistan. Constitutional Petition Nos. 48 and 49
of 2007 were filed and a seven member bench of this Court unanimously
declared: “Their return/entry into country shall not be restrained,
hampered or obstructed by the Federal Government or Provincial
Government Agencies in any manner”63. However, the order of this Court
was violated. A subsequent judgment of this Court in the case of
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif v The State 64 sets out what happened next:
“Pursuant to the said direction, the petitioner

embarked on a return journey to Pakistan and took a
flight from London to Islamabad. However, after
landing at Islamabad, he was not allowed to leave the
airport and was sent out of the country. In view of
violation of the order of this Court, an application for
contempt of Court was filed before this Court. A
similar abortive attempt was earlier made in the year
2004 by the petitioner’s brother, Mian Muhammad
Shahbaz Sharif, and he was not allowed to leave the
airport and put on a flight destined for overseas. The
above facts clearly demonstrate that the petitioner
was prevented from returning to Pakistan.”65
63
Pakistan Muslim League (N) v Federation of Pakistan, PLD 2007 Supreme Court
642, at page 680.
64
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif v The State, PLD 2009 Supreme Court 814.
65
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif v The State, PLD 2009 Supreme Court 814, at page
830B.
34. The learned Prosecutor relies upon the aforesaid judgment in
support of the applications, which seek to condone the delay in the filing
of the petition and states that if eight years delay could be condoned in
the filing of the petition by Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif against his
conviction in the hijacking case, the delay in filing this petition should
also be condoned. The conviction of Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was
unanimously set aside by a five Member Bench of this Court and he was
acquitted of all charges. The question of limitation was attended to in the
said judgment thus: “This Court is always slow in dismissing petitions
against conviction and sentence on the question of limitation and is more
inclined to examine the case on merits in order to prevent grave
miscarriage of justice notwithstanding delay. There is no dearth of case
law in support of this proposition”, and reference was made to a number
of precedents66. Rule 4 of Order XXIII of the Supreme Court Rules was
also referred to and it was held that, “the circumstances which prevented
the petitioner from filing petition against his conviction and sentences were
indeed extraordinary and we consider these to be sufficient cause for
extension of time”67. The other case relied upon by the learned Prosecutor
is of State v Nazir Ahmad68. However, in this case the Additional
Advocate General acted unreasonably by extending an undue concession
to the accused, and the delay was of sixty three days. The present
petition however is not a petition against a conviction in a criminal case
and has been field 1,229 days late. The applications also do not disclose
66
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif v The State, PLD 2009 Supreme Court 814, at page 832,
paragraph 18.
67
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif v The State, PLD 2009 Supreme Court 814, at page 833,
paragraph 19.
68
State v Nazir Ahmad, 1999 SCMR 610
any reason for the petition’s belated filing, let alone showing “sufficient
cause” for each and every day’s delay.
35. NAB had requested the Accountability Court to adjourn the case
sine die and the case was so adjourned. The Court has the power to
postpone or adjourn proceedings, but this power is circumscribed and is
to be utilized when witnesses are absent and for “other reasonable cause”
as provided in section 344 of the Code. However, neither absence of
witnesses nor other reasonable cause was cited by NAB as a reason in
seeking adjournments. Section 344 of the Code stipulates that when the
“power to postpone or adjourn proceedings” is exercised by the Court it
must pass an order, “in writing stating the reasons therefor”. NAB sought
(sine die) indefinite adjournment, which was granted. Davis CJ in Agha
Nazarali v Emperor69 held that, “the Criminal Procedure Code does not
contemplate adjournments of criminal cases sine die, and that, on the
contrary, what the law contemplates is due diligence and impartiality in
the prosecution of criminal cases”70. There have however been instances
of cases being adjourned sine die, but then these have been when civil
and criminal cases in respect of the same matter are simultaneously
proceeding. In the case of Mohd. Akbar v State71, a dispute arose
regarding a bus, which was the subject matter of both civil and criminal
proceedings. The criminal proceedings were adjourned sine die till the
civil court determined the ownership of the bus. “In exercising this
discretion the guiding principles should be to see as to whether the
69
Agha Nazarali v Emperor, AIR 1941 Sind 186.
70
Agha Nazarali v Emperor, AIR 1941 Sind 186, page 187, column 2.
71
Mohd. Akbar v State, PLD 1968 SC 281.
accused is likely to be prejudiced if the criminal proceeding is not stayed” 72
(per Hamoodur Rahman J). The Shariat Appellate Bench of this Court in
the case of Muhammad Azam v Muhammad Iqbal 73 attended to criminal
proceedings for zina. Where a defence was taken before the Family Court
that there was no zina as a valid marriage subsisted. This Court under
such circumstances, considered prudent to “await the decision of the
family court on the issue of valid marriage”74. In this case NAB filed the
Reference and then sought its sine die adjournment, and for no valid
reason. The record reveals that none of the respondents had ever
requested that the case be adjourned, let alone, it be adjourned sine die.
NAB was spurred into action when respondent Nos. 1 to 9 filed the writ
petition to remove the sword of Damocles from over their heads. A person
should not be penalized for approaching the High Court to secure his
Fundamental Rights. The comments filed before the High Court by NAB
did not state that NAB was now ready, able and willing to pursue the
application seeking revival/restoration of the References, let alone, to
proceed with them. On the contrary the “para-wise comments” filed by
NAB in the High Court on July 2, 2012 state that, “NAB has no objection
for recommencement of the trial before the learned trial court, if this
Hon’ble Court directs so”75. The said respondents were in Pakistan for
over a year before they were exiled and neither then nor when they
returned did NAB proceed with the References.
72
Mohd. Akbar v State, PLD 1968 SC 281, at page 285C.
73
Muhammad Azam v Muhammad Iqbal, PLD 1984 SC 95.
74
Muhammad Azam v Muhammad Iqbal, PLD 1984 SC 95, at page 156.
75
Writ Petition No. 2617/2011, Para-wise Comments by NAB, page 10, at paragraph
D.
36. The criminal justice system requires that a person accused of a
crime is brought to justice as speedily as possible, so if he is found guilty
he is punished and if he is found to be innocent he is discharged and/or
acquitted. The maxim that justice delayed is justice denied comes true
when a criminal trial remains pending indefinitely for no reason
whatsoever. A procrastinated trial not only adversely affects the
prosecution case but may also seriously hamper the defence. In the case
of Muhammad Hussain v the State76 criminal proceedings were quashed
and the petitioner acquitted because the case had not progressed for five
years. The Court held that, “the sword of Damocles has been hanging
over his head for over six years. The chances of the accused to defend
himself after a lapse of so many years must have been seriously affected.
If the prosecution does not take care to see that a case against an accused
person is proceeded with expeditiously and allows it to linger on
inordinately or delays its progress, the fault must lie at its door”77. The
Court further observed that, “The state of affairs discloses utter
incompetence and callous disregard of the worry and anxiety of a person
who is charged with crime. It is a mockery of law to allow criminal cases to
proceed for four or five years without any progress. It is revolting to the
conscience of a Judge under any system of law that a criminal case should
take so long and still not be decided. The conduct of these cases by the
learned Public Prosecutor reflects a lack of interest in the cases. He did not
apply his mind to what was needed and he has sought adjournment after
adjournment, which should not have been granted. Would an accused
person have been given all these adjournments? If not, should the
76
Muhammad Hussain v the State, PLD 1959 (WP) Lahore 322.
77
Muhammad Hussain v the State, PLD 1959 (WP) Lahore 322, page 329, at
paragraph 10.
prosecution have been shown such an indulgence? If the prosecution fails
persistently without reasonable cause to produce its witnesses, or seeks
adjournments unjustifiably, it is the duty of a Court to proceed to judgment
expeditiously and without unnecessary delay. Justice delayed is justice
denied for the defence of the accused must suffer by lapse of time and the
prosecution may also suffer likewise. A fair and speedy trial is the essence
and essential of judicial administration in a civilised country. Protracted
proceedings as in this case are a mockery of the law and must be deemed
to be an abuse of process of Court”78. We completely agree with the well
articulated observations of the learned Judge. In support of his decision
S. A. Mahmood J also relied upon a number of cases79.
37. Muhammad Shafi J in the case of Fazal Karim v The State80,
observed:
“I most regrettably observe that the whole trial has

been turned into a complete mockery. ‘Justice delayed
is justice denied’ is an old and surely not an empty
maxim and there cannot be a better case than the one
now before me to which it can more aptly apply”81.
“The perusal of the different orders which have been

passed by the learned Magistrate in this case and
keeping the case pending for five long years without
doing anything substantial certainly go to show that
there has been an excessive abuse of process of law
and denial of justice, which can, under no
circumstances, be condoned. I, consequently though
with great reluctance, accept the three petitions, and
order that the proceedings started on the first
78
Muhammad Hussain v the State, PLD 1959 (WP) Lahore 322, at page 329 to 330.
79
Fazal Karim v The State. PLD 1957 Lahore 837; Crown v Piru, PLD 1955 Sind 227;
Rash Behary Karury v Corporation of Calcutta, AIR 1926 Calcutta 102; Motiram
Jasamal v Emperor, AIR 1943 Sind 10; Agha Nazarali v Emperor, AIR 1941 Sind
186; and Emperor v Md. Ebrahim, AIR 1942 Calcutta 219.
80
Fazal Karim v The State, PLD 1957 Lahore 837.
81
Fazal Karim v The State, PLD 1957 Lahore 837, at page 839D.
information report recorded on the 8th June, 1952, be

quashed”82.
Derbyshire CJ in the case of Emperor v Md. Ebrahim referred to
the policy of the criminal law:
“The policy of the criminal law is to bring persons

accused to justice as speedily as possible so that if
they are found guilty they may be punished and if they
are found innocent they may be acquitted and
discharged”83.
Lord Denning encapsulated the principle of due, or legal, process
succinctly:
“In a civilised society, legal process is the machinery

for keeping order and doing justice. It can be used
properly or it can be abused. It is used properly when
it is invoked for the vindication of men’s rights or the
enforcement of just claims. It is abused when it is
diverted from its true course so as to serve extortion or
oppression; or to exert pressure so as to achieve an
improper end”84.
38. In this case we have come to the painful conclusion that
respondents 1 to 9 were denied due process. The legal process was
abused, by keeping the Reference pending indefinitely and unreasonably.
The said respondents were denied the right to vindicate themselves. The
Reference served no purpose but to oppress them. We have also noted
with grave concern the lack of commitment and earnestness on part of
NAB at the relevant time. NAB did not produce the accused in Court;
NAB did not seek to have charges framed against them; NAB did not
examine a single witness, and tender evidence; NAB sought innumerable
adjournments; NAB sought the Reference to be indefinitely (sine die)
82
Fazal Karim v The State, PLD 1957 Lahore 837, at page 841A.
83
Emperor v Md. Ebrahim, AIR 1942 Calcutta 219, at page 221b.
84
Goldsmith v Sperrings Ltd, (1977) 2 All ER 566, at page 574g.
adjourned. For over four years the Chairman NAB did not submit an
application under his signature for the restoration/revival of the
Reference. And, when the Chairman did submit such an application it
was not pursued. The Reference remained moribund.
39. Therefore, the learned Judges of the High Court were justified to
quash the Reference and once it was quashed the question of
reinvestigation did not arise. Fortuitously for NAB one learned judge
permitted reinvestigation, even though NAB had not requested it; the
matter of reinvestigation is mentioned in the very last sentence of his
judgment85. The learned judge also gave no reason why he permitted
reinvestigation. We also agree with the reasons articulated by the learned
judge’s learned brethren who did not agree with him on the matter of
reinvestigation. Under such circumstances, other than to procrastinate
still further the agony of respondent Nos. 1 to 9, no purpose will be
served to condone the unreasonable and unjustified delayed filing of the
petition.
40. During the course of hearings we observed that whilst most of the
media acted maturely and fairly reported the proceedings, there were
some who violated the parameters of factual reporting and also
broadcasted and printed views of persons who were interested in a
particular outcome of this case. The media should not dilate on a sub
judice case, rather should only accurately report the proceedings.
85
Hudaibya Paper Mills Ltd. v Federation of Pakistan, PLD 2006 Lahore 667, page
However, once a judgment is announced it may be analyzed, evaluated or
critiqued.
41. In conclusion we would like to acknowledge the manner in which
Mr. Imranul Haq, the learned Special Prosecutor, conducted the case.
Though the brief entrusted to him was difficult he remained stoic and
tenaciously persevered.
42. We had dismissed this petition and declined leave to appeal on
December 15, 2017 for reasons to be recorded later and these are the
reasons for doing so.
Judge
Judge
Judge
Bench-IV
Islamabad:
January 5, 2018
Approved for Reporting
(M. Tauseef and Barrister Kabir Hashmi)

C.P. 3258 2017

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C.P. 3258 2017

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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN

CIVIL PETITION NO. 3258 OF 2017

National Accountability Bureau (NAB)

For the Petitioner : Mr. Imran-ul-Haq, Special Prosecutor, NAB.

For the Respondents : Not represented.

Dates of Hearing : December, 11, 12 & 15, 2017.

referred to as “the writ petition”) filed by respondent Nos. 1 to 9 against

the National Accountability Bureau (“NAB”), the Federation of Pakistan

and the Accountability Court. The writ petition sought quashment of

Reference No. 5 of 2000 (“the Reference”) filed by NAB before the

Accountability Court. A learned Division Bench of the Lahore High Court,

comprising of Kh. Imtiaz Ahmad and Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan JJ

allowed the writ petition and quashed the Reference unanimously.

However, Kh. Imtiaz Ahmad J in the ultimate sentence of the judgment

petitioners [respondent Nos. 1 to 9 herein] if the investigation is again

initiated in accordance with law”1. Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan J did

Reference; it would, “be mistaken as an express permission by this Court

to initiate investigation afresh”2; no argument on the question of

reinvestigation was heard; no reinvestigation was done for over twelve

years; by allowing reinvestigation it would, “give premium to the

combating/victimizing the petitioners at the hands of NAB authorities”3 .

2. In view of the difference of opinion with regard to the matter of

reinvestigation or fresh investigation Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan J

Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan J and added that, “re-investigation of the

Reference, after about thirteen years of filing of Reference would be

the matter, therefore, there was no reason for making such an

regard to the matter of reinvestigation.

3. The impugned judgment of the Lahore High Court is dated March

sixty days of the judgment, decree or final order sought to be appealed

by 1229 days”; which is not denied by the petitioner. In respect of cases

mentioned in clause (2) of Article 185 of the Constitution of the Islamic

Republic of Pakistan (“the Constitution”), an appeal can be filed as of

right, however, in respect of “a judgment, decree, order or sentence of a

Supreme Court grants leave to appeal”. Therefore, if a person wants to

file an appeal he has a right to file it, however, a petition is entertained

only by leave of this Court. It therefore stands to reason that, if an

extended it should not be equated with the late filing of a petition

wherein too time is sought to be extended.

the delayed filing of the petition to be condoned. Civil Miscellaneous

The reason mentioned to condone the belated filing, in the first

(Joint Investigation Team, mentioned below in paragraph 19). The second

of the Federation, in Power (sic) influenced in preventing filing of the

5. This Court in the exercise of its constitutional jurisdiction or when

it is considering the grant of discretionary relief may decline to extend

time if it is inequitable to do so7. The conduct of the petitioner may also

be examined when considering condoning delay8. Therefore, it would be

appropriate to reflect on the conduct of NAB, and particularly whether it

vigilantly proceeded with the Reference filed by it before the

Accountability Court. We also need to examine whether respondent Nos.

1 to 9 employed tactics to procrastinate matters to their advantage

and/or had the requisite power or influence to subvert the course of

6. On October 12, 1999, General Pervez Musharraf, who was then

constitutional order. “Proclamation of Emergency”9 issued by him on

stated that “Emergency” had been proclaimed and that General

Republic of Pakistan”, put into “abeyance” the Constitution, “suspended”

the “National Assembly, the Provincial Assemblies and Senate”, which he

Ministers, Federal and Provincial Ministers, and placed Pakistan, “under

enacted the “Provisional Constitution Order 1 of 1999”11 (“PCO”) which,

the Chief Executive”, that is against himself, or to question the