Opposition needs to ‘replace’ Shehbaz as its leader

Minister says PM Imran will not consult with PML-N president

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday said Prime Minister Imran Khan would not consult with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and the opposition should change its leader in the National Assembly if it wanted that to happen.

“We have a clear position that the opposition will be consulted but not with Shehbaz Sharif,” he said while addressing news conference in Islamabad, accompanied by Law Minister Farogh Naseem.

“If the opposition is interested in the premier consulting with its leader on the matter, it should replace Shehbaz.”

Fawad further said Shehbaz was being investigated by NAB. “Consulting with him is like asking a thief who will be his SHO [to investigate the case].”

Read more: President promulgates NAO allowing Javed Iqbal to stay at helm

The minister added that if Shehbaz had any shame, he would step down from the post of the opposition leader.

He further said the government had omitted clauses pertaining to private and banking conflicts and tax related issues from the ordinance to be promulgated after President Arif Alvi’s nod.

He added that the government would first issue an ordinance. “Later an Act of parliament would be introduced after consultation with the opposition to further improve the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999.”

The minister said the opposition’s suggestions would also be incorporated in the amendments to the NAO if there were any.

“Now, NAB would concentrate on its original task of eradication of corruption,” Fawad said, adding that its performance was compromised with the additional responsibilities of looking into business irregularities and other crimes.

“NAB will now concentrate on going after the ‘big fish’ whereas the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been authorised to arrest tax evaders.”

Speaking on the occasion, the law minister said the incumbent NAB chief would continue working until

President Alvi appointed his successor after the premier’s consultation with the opposition leader.

Also read: NAB chief to stay until new successor

“If there is no consensus, a parliamentary committee will be formed to appoint the NAB chairman. The committee will be set up by the National Assembly speaker and comprise six members each from the opposition and government,” Naseem explained.

The law minister further claimed that the opposition had “played major politics” with the government on the issue of the NAB law.

“Unfortunately, the opposition got in the way on the issue of bureaucracy and brought its 34 amendments to the law.”

Naseem said several meetings were held with the prime minister on the appointment or extension of the NAB chief.

Explaining the amendments to the NAO, the minister said the word “non-extendable” for the tenure of the NAB chief had been removed.

“Changes have been made in the law so that the FBR looks into matters related to taxes, and a private person no longer falls in the jurisdiction of NAB.”

(With input from APP)