KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed on Friday the administration of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) to provide its official record sought by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to complete an inquiry pertaining to alleged misappropriation of zakat funds and appointments made in violation of relevant rules and procedures.

Headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro, a two-judge bench passed these directives while hearing bail petitions filed by NICVD director Dr Nadeem Qamar and others against an inquiry initiated by the federal anti-graft watchdog related to administrative affairs of the government health facility.

At the outset, the bench’s head inquired from an investigating officer of NAB as to why the purported inquiry against the petitioners had not been completed despite seeking time from the court on many occasions.

The IO submitted that NAB required some original documents pertaining to certain appointments in the health facility. However, he stated that letters had been sent to NICVD administration from time to time, asking to provide the relevant documents but the same had not been provided yet.

NAB told to complete inquiry, submit progress report by Oct 15

He further stated subsequently the inquiry was lingering on due to want of the documents.

The counsel representing the petitioner Dr Nadeem Qamar submitted that the inquiry was initiated with regard to 20 appointments only, but now the NAB authorities were asking for record related to several thousand appointments made in the institute.

The counsel further submitted that the record pertaining to implantation of stents to patients during the past eight years was also being sought.

However, the bench directed the NICVD administration to provide the relevant record and also asked the petitioners to cooperate with the investigators.

Meanwhile, the bench also directed NAB to complete the inquiry and submit its progress report on Oct 15, 2021.

Till then, the bench also extended pre-arrest bail granted to petitioners in connection with the purported inquiry.

Manzoor Wassan’s bail extended

The same bench, meanwhile, also extended the pre-arrest bail of former Sindh minister Manzoor Wassan granted in connection with an inquiry pertaining to alleged accumulation of assets by him beyond his known sources of income.

The NAB prosecutor submitted that the inquiry was in final stage and a decision regarding filing of reference or otherwise would be taken after vetting of final draft of inquiry by NAB headquarters in Islamabad.

While directing NAB to furnish a progress report on the next date, the bench extended Mr Wassan’s bail till Oct 4.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2021