Ex-SC judge Baqar being considered for NAB top post

Senior lawyers fear that powerful circles, section within judiciary may resist his appointment

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government is considering the name of former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar for the position of the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) chairman.

A senior government functionary told The Express Tribune on Saturday that Baqar’s name was being considered along with another retired judge, Justice (retd) Dost Muhammad Khan.
Justice Baqar, who retired from his post on April 4, is considered to be an independent judge.

While Baqar’s nomination enjoys unanimous support from the superior bars, senior lawyers fear that powerful circles and a section within the judiciary might resist his appointment.

It is also believed that the former ruling party, the PTI, will also object to Baqar’s appointment to the post of the anti-graft body’s chief.

However, a lawyer, who is part of the PTI, said Justice Baqar had a "very good reputation and is the best candidate for the post".

Previously, Justice Baqar was among those judges who gave a verdict in favour of Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the latter’s case on undocumented assets.

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Justice Baqar was also responsible for granting bail to PML-N leader Saad Rafiq. The case against the PML-N leader had raised serious questions about the anti-graft body's conduct.

“Accountability laws have been successfully used to change political loyalties,” Justice Baqar had remarked in his judgment while granting the bail to the PML-N leader.

According to sources, Justice Baqar's name was agreed upon during the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari. All parties of the coalition government are also of the view that he was the most suitable candidate for the post.

As the coalition government came into power after ousting former premier Imran Khan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured senior bureaucrats that a revamp of NAB was on the cards.

Senior bureaucrats – both serving and retired – had earlier suggested to PM Shehbaz to reform the NAB legislation with a view to avoiding alleged intimidation and humiliation at the hands of the anti-graft body.

The bureaucracy has been airing grievances with the past governments in what they call ‘harassment’ and ‘threatening’ attitude of NAB due to which the civil servants are reluctant to sign official files.

Opposition leader Raja Riaz said he had no objection over Baqar's appointment as the NAB chairman.
PTI leader and former federal information minister Fawad Chaudhry told the media outside the Islamabad High Court that a "puppet [Raja Riaz] has been appointed as a dummy opposition leader”.

He added that the nominations for the NAB chairman were being finalised.
"Justice Maqbool Baqir is a reasonable man. Hopefully, he will not be a part of this process," he added.

(With input from agencies)