Govt makes another amendment in NAB law

New NAB ordinance omits head's removal procedure

ISLAMABAD:

In a newly promulgated ordinance to amend the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), the federal government has omitted the procedure regarding the removal of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief.

Last month, the government had promulgated an ordinance regarding amendments in NAO 1999. Now, once again, the government has promulgated the ordinance for more amendments in accountability ordinance.

In October this year, the government had issued the NAB ordinance that had extended the tenure of the incumbent NAB chief till his successor could be appointed.

Read No clear rules for NAB chief’s removal

It also read that its provisions would not be applicable to matters pertaining to federal, provincial, or local taxation, other levies or imports -- including refunds or loss of exchequer pertaining to taxation.

The ordinance was opposed by the opposition parties whereas a plea was also filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the ordinance. The petitioner had contented any deletion from the incorporation in an existing statute or enactment was ultra vires to the extent that it had favoured one person.

"An ordinance cannot be allowed to override the parliament since assembly is there, and a session can be called at any time," the plea had added.