The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday reserved its verdict on the petitions filed against the auction of properties in Bahria Town, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the petitions.
During the hearing, Farooq H. Naek, the lawyer, told the court that Zain Malik had entered into a plea bargain with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). “Later, Zain requested the cancellation of the plea bargain,” he said, adding, “The request is still pending.”
He further said that when Zain did not pay the installments, the NAB issued a notice for cancelling the plea bargain.
Naek argued that the notice issued for the auction of properties in Bahria Town was illegal and was based on a mala fide intent. “Firstly, the bureau said it did not plan the auction of the properties,” he said, adding that later, the notice was issued, which was illegal.
The lawyer said that after the cancellation of the plea bargain, the anti-corruption watchdog had the power to arrest Zain. “The NAB can arrest Zain,” he added.
He questioned that when the Bahria Town was not a proclaimed offender, how could its properties be attached? “The NAB did not have the power to act against the Bahria Town,” he argued.
NAB Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood, however, said that the Bahria Town’s petitions were inadmissible for the hearing from the word go.
Reporter: Ihtesham Kiani