Govt files appeal against NAB verdict.

ISLAMABAD -- The interim federal government has filed an appeal against the Supreme Court's September 15 majority order whereby the apex court annulled amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, the law that governs the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

On September 15, a three-member bench led by former chief justice Umar Ata Bandial struck down the amendments introduced in the NAO by the last PML-N led federal government with a majority vote.

The verdict had resulted in reopening of corruption references, inquiries and investigations against dozens of politicians belonging to all major political parties.

On Tuesday, the government filed an appeal against the verdict under Section 5 of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023 read with Article 184 (3) of the Constitution.

Raising objections to the order, the appeal stated that the majority judgment suffers from procedural impropriety and is, therefore, liable to be set aside. It said the Respondent No 1-PTI chief Imran Khan-was allowed to file an amended petition without a proper application for amendment in pleadings.

'Had a proper application been filed the federation would have had the opportunity to respond to it in writing. The Federation was also not given equal treatment and, in fact, was denied the due process and equal protection of law.

'The Respondent No 1 was given the opportunity to make oral submissions...