SC restores acquittal of former minister Anwar Saifullah Khan

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2026) The Supreme Court has accepted the review petition of former Federal minister Anwar Saifullah Khan, setting aside his conviction awarded in 2000 and restoring the Lahore High Court’s June 13, 2002 acquittal verdict.

Justice Salahuddin Panhwar issued the detailed judgement, holding that no person can be awarded a harsher punishment retrospectively than what was prescribed under the law at the time of the alleged act.

The court ruled that the application of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance 1999 to allegations dating back to 1996 was constitutionally invalid, as Article 12 of the Constitution prohibits retrospective punishment.

The judgement stated that the punishment prescribed under the NAB Ordinance 1999 was more severe than penalties under earlier laws and therefore could not be applied to past events.

The apex court further observed that the prosecution failed to provide solid evidence proving bribery, personal gain or any loss to the national exchequer by Anwar Saifullah Khan.

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According to the judgement, mere administrative irregularity or procedural lapse is insufficient to establish criminal intent.

The court noted that as federal minister for petroleum, Anwar Saifullah Khan had made appointments in the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in accordance with open record and departmental practices, adding that there was a clear distinction between administrative negligence and criminal liability.

The Supreme Court also held that once a high court acquits an accused person, the presumption of innocence becomes further strengthened and such acquittal can only be interfered with in exceptional circumstances.

The judgement observed that the 2016 majority decision overturning the acquittal lacked strong legal grounds. It added that although the scope of review jurisdiction is limited, it remains the court’s responsibility to correct an apparent error visible on the record.

Anwar Saifullah Khan had faced allegations of making illegal appointments in OGDCL in 1996 while serving as federal minister for petroleum.