LAHORE: A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Thursday barred the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Mian Javed Latif without prior notice.
The bench headed by Justice Muhammad Tariq Abbasi passed the orders while disposing of a petition filed by the MNA against his possible arrest.
In a petition filed through his counsel, Latif recalled that the anti-corruption watchdog has launched a probe against him on allegations of amassing wealth through illegal means and observed that NAB Lahore had already wrapped up an asset inquiry against him.
“I am being subjected to vengeance over my connection with the PML-N,” he claimed, pleading to restrain NAB from arresting him in connection with the case.
A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Tariq Abbasi, disposed of the petition, directing the corruption watchdog to inform it in advance about whether it wants to arrest the petitioner.
It is pertinent to mention here that NAB, on December 24, had summoned Javed Latif to appear on 1st January for questioning in a case pertaining to an inquiry about assets beyond means of income.
He has reportedly been summoned again for providing an incomplete record with regard to the inquiry whereas his brothers Mian Anwar Latif, Mian Munawar Latif, and Mian Amjad Latif are to appear before the NAB Lahore bureau and their mother Wilayat Latif is expected to fill out a questionnaire sent to her.
The accountability bureau has also summoned Mian Akhtar Latif and Javed Latif’s son Ahsan Latif.
The bureau had earlier twice issued call-up notices to seven persons including Javed Latif.
According to NAB sources, the first notice was served on them on December 12, while the second notice on December 18. Javed Latif submitted a reply on behalf of all seven members of the family on Dec 23.
The head of the combined investigation team of the accountability watchdog directed him to submit other documents for inquiry at the next hearing on Jan 1st.
It was reported on Dec 8 that NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal directed the bureau’s Lahore chapter under Section 34(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, to hold an inquiry into the allegations and submit a final report.
Following the directives, the NAB Lahore had constituted an eight-member combined investigation team (CIT) to probe the alleged misuse of authority under Section 9 (a) of NAO and Section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010.
Reportedly, NAB Lahore has so far been investigating the source of funds used to buy six CNG (compressed natural gas) and petrol stations in Sheikhupura and Sargodha, one paper mills in Sheikhupura, one plaza and houses constructed on a half-an-acre land and two flour mills in Sheikhupura which, on paper, are owned by his mother Walait Latif. According to reports, Latif’s mother also owned his dera and a building [rented out to APNA Bank], which had been constructed on a land measuring two kanals and 17 marlas near Sharqpur Chowk in Sheikhupura city.
According to APP, Javed Latif’s mother and brothers — Anwar Latif, Munawar Latif and Akhtar Latif — also owned two brick kilns spreading over 20 acres in Kot Ranjeet, Sheikhupura district.
The CIT will also investigate the source of funds used to buy a 136-kanal agricultural land in Mouza Hiran Minar, Sheikhupura, in the name of his brothers Amjad Latif and Anwar Latif.
Earlier in August, an Anti-Corruption Establishment government team retrieved government-owned land measuring 30 kanals and 15-marla worth around Rs125 million which was encroached by his paper mills.
