NAB to hire services of renowned lawyers

Tells SC it is improving expertise of its staff in investigation, prosecution

ISLAMABAD:

The country’s prime anti-corruption body – the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) – is upgrading its expertise in various areas including investigation and prosecution and has decided to hire services of seasoned lawyers to represent it in high profile corruption cases.

NAB will acquire services of renowned lawyers in high profile case. These counsels will report to the respective region’s director general, said a reply submitted by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal to the Supreme Court which is hearing a case about appointments in NAB.

The rely said NAB is also going to increase expertise of its investigation officers through further training and will also utilize services of renowned charter accountants, income tax experts and forensic experts to better probe into white-collar crimes.

 It said the anti-graft body is also trying to get its staff trained at the Punjab Forensic Laboratory.

The Supreme Court on August 7 took suo motu notice to examine NAB chairman’s authority to appoint director generals in the anti-graft body sans rules and regulations.

Issuing a written order, a division bench, comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mushir Alam, noted that the court has been informed that NAB chairman appoints NAB directors general in exercise of power under section 25 (g) of the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance 1999.

The section 25 (g) says “for time being, chairman NAB shall not be required to consult the Federal Public Service Commission for making appointments and matters relating to the qualifications of persons for such appointments and method of their recruitment shall be in accordance with rules.”

The order said under the law, NAB chairman is bound to exercise his power under rules. However, ` no such rules have been framed to date, it observed.

The court also asked NAB's prosecutor general to satisfy the court as to whether the subordinate legislation, the mandate of the Constitution under Articles 242 read with Article 240 can be bypassed in making such appointments.