NAB appointment: If illegal, no need for procedure, says SC

Justice Javed Iqbal says if the appointment of NAB chairman is illegal. the procedure for removal may not be adopted.

ISLAMABAD: The procedure to remove Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is similar to the one for judges, but if the appointment is illegal, the procedure may not be adopted, Justice Javed Iqbal observed on Thursday.

Since the appointment of Prosecutor General NAB was considered illegal in a previous case, it was observed in the apex court’s verdict that the procedure for removal in article 209 of the Constitution cannot be adopted, said Justice Javed Iqbal.  If the notification of the appointment stands cancelled, article 209 of the Constitution will not be applicable, Justice Iqbal observed. The case was adjourned till February 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2011.