The Ehtesab Act, 1997

 

 

2. Definitions. It this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context:

 

 

 (a)   "accused' shall include a person in respect of whom ,information under [section 15]* shall be deemed to have been recorded;

1. ‑Subs. for the words "sub‑section (1) of section 16" by Ordinance, II of 1998. (PI.J 1998 Fed. St. 3851.')

(b)   "appropriate Government" means in relation to any person serving in connection with the affairs of the Federation including any person employed by a corporation, body, bank, financial institution ‑undertaking or other ‑organization set‑up, controlled or administered by, or under the authority of the Federal Government, the said Government. and in other cases the Provincial Government concerned

 

(c)    "Chairman of the Ehtesab Cell" means a person either holding a full time salaried post as such, or a part time post with no entitlement. to salary or allowances, whose name is notified hereunder with the authority to appoint members of the Ehtesab Cell;

 

(d)   "Chief Ehtesab Commissioner" means the Chief Ehtesab Commissioner appointed under section 13 and includes the person for the time being acting as Chief Ehtesab Commissioner;

 

(e)    "Code" means the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (Act V of 1898);

 

(f)     "Court" means a Bench of one or more Judges of the High Court nominated by the Chief Justice of the High Court.

 

(g)     "Ehtesab Cell" means a Cell set up 'by the Federal Government purpose of investigation and enquiry of offences under this Act;.

 

(h)    "freezing" includes attachment, sealing, prohibition, holding controlled or managing any property being livestock or perishable goods, the disposal thereof;

 

(i) "holder of public office" means a person who‑‑

 

(i) has been the President or the Governor of a Province;

 

(ii) is, or has been, the Prime Minister, Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, Deputy Chairman Senate, Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Federal Minister, Minister of State, Attorney‑General and other Law Officers appointed under the Central Law Officers Ordinance, 1970 (VII of 1970), Advisor to the Prime Minister, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Federal Parliamentary Secretary, Member of the Parliament, Auditor‑General, Political Secretary, Advisor or Consultant to the Prime Minister, Federal Minister, Minister of State or attached with any Ministry or Division, holder of a post or office with the rank or status of a Federal Minister or Minister of State;

 

(iii) is, or has been, the Chief Minister, Provincial Minister, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Special Assistant to Chief Minister, Provincial Parliamentary Secretary, Member of the Provincial Assembly, Advocate‑General, including Additional Advocates‑General and Assistant Advocates‑General, Political Secretary, Advisor or Consultant to the Chief Minister, Provincial Minister or attached to any department of the Province, holder of a post or office with rank or status of a Provincial Minister;

 

(iv) is, or has held an office or post in Basic Pay Scale 20 or above in the service of Pakistan or any service in connection with the affairs of the Federation or of a Province or in equivalent pay scale of management in corporation, banks, financial institutions, firms, concerns, undertakings or any other institutions, or organization established, controlled or administered by or under the Federal Government or a Provincial Government, other than an officer who is a member of the armed forces, or for the time being is subject to any law relating to any of those forces except an officer of armed forces who is holding or has held an equivalent post or office in any public corporation, bank, financial institution, undertaking or other organization established, controlled or administered by or under the Federal Government or a Provincial Government;

 

(g) "offence" means the offence of corruption and corrupt practices; and

 

(h) "property" includes any or all movable and immovable properties, situated within or outside Pakistan.