Alvi kicks off process for new NAB chief’s hiring

ISLAMABAD:

President Arif Alvi has started the consultation process for the appointment of the new chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The president has written to both the leader of house, Prime Minister Imran Khan, and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif on the matter.

It has been learnt that both sides are deliberating names for the slot.

"There shall be a Chairman, National Accountability Bureau to be appointed by the President in consultation with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly,” read clause 5 of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999.

It also states that if there is no consensus on the name of the chairman, the names proposed by the leader of the house and the leader of the opposition shall be forwarded by the president to a parliamentary committee appointed under clause (iii), which may confirm any one name for appointment as the chairman.

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Earlier, the law ministry sent summary to the president for initiating the process for the appointment.

The ministry, referring to the Supreme Court judgment, had urged the president that consultation with both the PM and opposition leader should be in written at the same time.

However, one section within the government believes that the president’s consultation process may delay the appointment.

They say that the president should have asked the prime minister to share names, which could have shared with the opposition leader to seek his opinion.

It has been learnt that 'powerful circles' within the government want to retain incumbent NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, who is stated to be in their good books.

The same section had also compelled the government to amend the law regarding the removal of the NAB chairman.

Earlier, Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan had convinced the premier that in order to ensure fairness, the NAB chairman should be removed by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) -- a constitutional forum to initiate the process of misconduct against superior court judges as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members.

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However, within a month, another ordinance was promulgated wherein it was stated that the president was authorised to remove the NAB chairman.

Subsequently, the AGP strongly objected to this amendment. He suggested that matters related to amendments in NAB law should be referred to parliament.

Now the matter is pending with the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Law and Justice for consideration.

Sources privy to the development said senior PTI leaders, including the AGP, believe that mere extension of the incumbent NAB chief and the process regarding new appointment could not be prolonged as its effect the performance of the anti-corruption watchdog.

Likewise, senior PTI leaders including PM Imran are concerned over delays in the trial of high profile cases.

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A senior PTI lawmaker expressed his apprehensions that it seemed that NAB was not keen to ensure the conviction of opposition leaders, especially Shehbaz Sharif.

He believed that presently, the incumbent NAB chairman was the best choice for the opposition leaders, who were facing graft cases.

He said the security establishment was also satisfied with the incumbent NAB chairman. “Therefore, efforts will be made for his reappointment,” he added.

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have already decided to challenge the amendments to the NAO 1999.

It is learnt that a petition has been drafted and would be filed soon.