ISLAMABAD  -  In the face of mounting criticism, the federal cabinet on Wednesday withdrew the notification of holding trial of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in two corruption references at Adiala Jail, and now these cases would be conducted in open court.

Nawaz and Maryam landed back in Lahore on Friday and were brought to Adiala Jail the same day. They same day (July 13), the law ministry had issued a notification fixing their trial in remaining two corruption references in the jail owing to security reasons.

The notification read, “In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (b) of section 16 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 (XVIII of 1999), the federal government is please to specify the Central Jail Adiala, Rawalpindi, to be the place where the Accountability Court-I, Islamabad shall sit for trial of References No 18/2017 and 19/2017 against Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and others.”

Sharing details of the decisions taken yesterday by the cabinet, which met under the chair of Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (r) Nasirul Mulk, Caretaker Information Minister Barrister Ali Zafar informed the media that the cabinet has approved withdrawal of the ministry’s notification and now the hearing in two corruption references against Nawaz Sharif and other family members would be conducted in open court.

Defending the caretaker government’s position, Zafar said the decision of holding Nawaz Sharif’s trial in Adiala jail was purely made on security grounds and the order was for a single hearing. Now the trial would be conducted in open court but if required the trial could be shifted to some other court due to security reasons.

The minister said the cabinet took up nine-point agenda with main focus on the maintenance of law and order situation during July 25 elections. Interior secretary also gave a briefing on the preparedness of law enforcement apparatus in handling the security issues especially on the polling day and during the follow up.

The agenda also included general improvement of law and order situation in the country, salary deduction of government employees for the construction of dams and withdrawal of OGDCL and PPL’s directors’ nomination approval.

Earlier, the interior secretary briefed the meeting about the measures being taken to complement provincial governments in ensuring security and law and order during the general elections.

These included deployment of over 42,000 civil armed forces, information sharing with the provinces through Nacta, provision of aviation support and technical assistance by FIA and Nadra.

The cabinet emphasised upon the need for the provincial governments to ensure that the Election Code of Conduct and the security protocols are strictly followed and that the political leaders are kept on board by the administration about the measures being taken to ensure security during corner meetings and political gatherings.

The cabinet approved various measures proposed by the finance division to facilitate implementation of the action plan to fulfil country’s commitment towards anti-money laundering and countering terror-financing.

The cabinet endorsed a proposal for contributions by the employees of the federal government towards construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam. According to the proposal, two days’ salary of officers (BS 17-22) and one day salary of officials (BS-1-16) will be donated for the cause. The cabinet members will contribute their one month’s salary to the fund.

The meeting also approved issuance of notification regarding exemption of federal taxes in the areas of erstwhile Fata/Pata, initially for a period of three months.

Amendment in Section 6(3) of Elections Act, 2017 was approved by the cabinet.

The meeting also approved ordinance for revalidation of Competitive Examination Rules 2016 and 2017.

Appointment of District and Sessions judge Muhammad Saleem as judge of the Banking Court-II, Lahore for a period of three years was also approved.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to assign additional charge of the post of Port Qasim Authority chairman to Asad Rafi Chandna (BS-21).

 

 

Sharifs’ trial to be held in open court