December 08, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The list of NRO beneficiaries has been presented in the Supreme Court (SC), Geo News reported Tuesday.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) sources told Geo News that the list contains at least 248 names of NRO beneficiaries.
The NAB sources said the assets of President Asif Ali Zardari in foreign countries stand at $1.5 billion, including houses and bank accounts in Spain, France, the US and Britain; while, his assets in the country stand at $22 million.
After the interval, petitioner Roedad Khans counsel began the arguments against the Ordinance.
Earlier, the NRO-related record from National Assembly and its Standing Committee was presented in the apex court. The court was appealed that this Ordinance should be held null and void from the day one after its issuance.
The court in its remarks termed the Ordinance a washing machine to wash off legal allegations and injustice to the bereaved families of the killed.
Acting Attorney General presented the parliamentary record comprising National Assembly debate and the speeches of the Prime Minister in connection with NRO on the directives from the court.
According to Deputy Attorney General Shah Khaver, National Assemblys Standing Committee approved the NRO; however, concerned minister took it back from the Assembly.
Meantime, NABs counsel gave remarks in the apex court that he would present unchallengeable and endorsed list of NRO-benefited people undersigned by NAB Chairman.
The Supreme Court yesterday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit before it authentic details of the beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry said the SC is the Supreme Court that can monitor all courts including the NAB.
Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday said if somebodys son was killed, the rights of his family were quashed with the NRO, adding the SC is the protector of peoples rights.
Dr Mubashshir Hasan counsel Salman Raja said in his arguments that the NRO was brought forward to usurp the judicial powers, pleading the court to held the Ordinance null and void from day one.
The court interrogated whether the situation would move to the position of October 4, 2007, if the same is decreed. Salman replied, Yes, it will happen accordingly.
The CJ said, We will have to see f the NRO Section-7 conforms to the constitutional requirements or not.
