SC questions authority of NAB chairman to appoint director-generals

The Supreme Court on Wednesday raised questions over the authority of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman to appoint director generals.

The two-judge bench led by Justice Mushir Alam, while hearing a bail plea of accused Muhammad Nadeem, also issued a notice to Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan pertaining to the power of the NAB chairman to appoint director generals.

The bench questioned how the NAB chairman is appointing senior officials in violation of the law and constitution, adding that section 28 of NAB is violating Article 240 of the Constitution.

The apex court heard the bail plea of accused Muhammad Nadeem who took money in the name of NAB officers. The court questioned the eligibility and appointment of NAB DG Irfan Naeem Mangi.

The SC sought details regarding the appointment of all NAB director-generals.

Justice Qazi Isa asked the director-general about his education, to which he responded that he is an engineer. Justice Isa asked if Mangi has any experience in criminal cases and the director-general said he has no experience.

"How can an engineer hold such a high position in NAB? Under which law does NAB chairman recruit?" Justice Isa questioned.

He maintained that people are rotting in jails due to the incompetence of NAB officers.

"No rules and regulations of NAB have been made since 1999," Justice Isa said.

"We are all employees of the state. We must fight the forces that stand in the way of the rule of law," Justice Alam remarked.

The SC granted bail to the accused Muhammad Nadeem and the hearing of the case was adjourned indefinitely.