FCC issues notice to NAB over Haris Steel Mills reference closure

July 15, 2026 (MLN): The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on a petition challenging the closure of the Haris Steel Mills reference and directed all parties to maintain status quo until the next hearing, with proceedings to resume after the court's summer recess.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the matter.

Counsel for the bank, Khawaja Haris, submitted that the loan in question had been obtained through forged documents and fake identity cards, terming it a serious case of fraud, and alleged that certain officials of the Bank of Punjab were also involved in the scheme, APP reported.

Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi asked whether the relevant documents had been cross-checked at the time the loan was obtained, remarking that necessary precautions were often overlooked until after an incident occurred.

Khawaja Haris further informed the court that, following closure of the reference, the process of releasing the bank guarantee had already begun, and requested interim relief restraining any further action until a final decision was reached.

Justice Aamir Farooq observed that the central legal question was whether NAB's decision to withdraw or close the reference could itself be challenged, and said the court would first determine the maintainability of the petition against NAB's decision.

Counsel for NAB told the bench that the bureau wished to place certain additional documents on record.

After hearing preliminary arguments, the court issued notice to NAB, directed the parties to maintain status quo until the next hearing, and adjourned further proceedings until after the court's summer vacations.

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