Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and other defendants have been acquitted in the case of illegal appointments at Pakistan State Oil (PSO). The hearing was held in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court docket in Karachi, and the court normalized a plea to withdraw the reference connected with PSO’s wrong appointments. The court also ordered that the reference be returned to the NAB Chairman.
People Cleared
Along with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sheikh Imran-ul-Haq, former MD of PSO; Arshad Mirza, former Secretary of Petroleum; and Yaqoob Sattar, former MD of PSO, have been cleared. This acquittal ends the prolonged legal battle involving these high-profile individuals fingered for engaging in illegal appointments during their tenure.
Abbasi’s Statement
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed his fears concerning Pakistan’s political environment and judiciary establishment. He dismissed the electoral process as being shady and this government as unrepresentative. They called upon all those in power to agree on a workable solution. He maintained that if NAB does not function properly or fails. It must be disbanded, and the judiciary should also be reformed.
The PM said that while new elections would typically have been used to solve this problem, current circumstances may not permit it. Moreover, he noted how long political trials take by recounting that there was only one witness throughout a four-year trial based on the PS0 allegation. In addition, he had an incident where he appeared before NAB for nine years. Thus showing that leaders still face hurdles.
Systemic Reform Needed
Abbasi’s statement referred to systemic change needed in Pakistan’s governance systems. He suggested that experienced political leaders, such as the Army Chief and Chief Justice, must unite to address country concerns. Political disagreements should be interpreted according to the constitution and constructive dialogue instead of getting involved in long legal battles.
The acquittal of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others accused in the PSO illegal appointments case represents a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legal and political landscape. The verdict reflects the court’s position on handling such cases and the need for efficient judicial and political reforms. In his statement, Abbasi reminded other leaders about their ordeals. What should be done to reform the judiciary and allow fairness during the ruling? Moreover, this piece also demonstrates that as a nation goes forward. It will depend on how these cases are solved. Along with implementing crucial reforms into its system that will dictate the country’s future political development.
