NAB opposes Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s acquittal

LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday opposed Jang/Geo owner Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman petition seeking acquittal from a reference regarding illegal allotment of land, stating that the accused acted in conspiracy with public office holders, including Nawaz Sharif, to obtain undue favour to get plots allotted illegally in Johar Town.

In its written reply, NAB stated that Mir Shakil was allotted plots measuring 58 kanals – 17 marlas – 214 square feet whereas his entitlement was only 54 kanals and 5 marlas (30% of acquired land of 180 kanals and 18 marlas).

“Allotment/exemption of all the 54 plots of 1 Kanal each in a compact block on canal bank was in utter disregard to exemption policy which stated the maximum of 15 plots of 1 Kanal each could be allotted to an owner and rest of entitlement was to be met with plots of lower size,” the reply said.

Read more: Another key witness to be produced against Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman in Illegal Plot Allotment Case

Exemption policy further stated that every effort was to be made to allocate plots to the exemptee on or around the piece of land he owned before the acquisition of his land.

Moreover, the inclusion of two streets is also an illegal act for which Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is the beneficiary at the cost of stoppage of way thoroughfare and in conveyance to the general public in connivance and abetment of co-accused persons namely Nawaz Sharif, during his time as chief minister Punjab, accused Hamayun Faiz Rasul Ex-DG LDA and accused Mian Bashir Ahmed former director land development LDA.

Both co-accused Hamayun Faiz Rasul and Mian Bashir Ahmed stated during the investigation that accused Nawaz Sharif called them to the committee room of the LDA building, which he used to visit occasionally.

Co-accused Nawaz Sharif said to them that the application of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman has either reached their office or is about to reach and directed them to process it favourably.

Read more: Mir Shakil’s web of fake news compromises ICIJ’s investigations in Pakistan

Later accused Mir Shakeel transferred the plot in the name of his wife and minor children to cover up his crime, the reply added.

Role of accused Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman

The accused Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is the beneficiary of plots allotted to him in violation of exemption policy which included two streets. The accused obtained this undue favour as a consequence of misuse of authority by his co-accused persons.

The accused is an illegal beneficiary of a plot exempted to him in the composite block at Canal bank in connivance of accused Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, former chief minister Punjab, accused Hamayun Faiz Rasul ex-DG LDA, accused Mian Bashir Ahmed ex-director Land Development LDA and others; thereby caused loss to State Exchequer.

Mir Shakil’s counsel pleaded that the indictment against his client and co-accused under NAB Amendment Ordinance has become baseless.

Read more: ‘Mir Shakeel transferred plots to cover up his crime,’ prosecutor NAB tells court

He pointed out that accused Mir Shakil under Section 4 of the NAB Amendment Ordinance did not fall under the definition of Public Office Holder. He requested the court to issue an acquittal order of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

Mir Shakil appeared before the court along with his counsel and requested to adjourn the case till January due to the marriage of his son.

Accountability court judge Asad Ali accepted his request and adjourned the hearing for January 4 for final arguments on the acquittal application.