Nawaz to abolish NAB, hold judges accountable

ISLAMABAD:

Three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif, eyeing a fourth shot at premiership, has declared in unequivocal terms that if the PML-N secures victory in the upcoming Feb 8 general elections, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will be abolished.

Back in 2018, while grappling with three corruption references, Nawaz had expressed regret that he could not eliminate what he termed “draconian NAB laws” during his tenure.

In addition to the NAB abolition pledge, Nawaz, who faced disqualification under articles 62 and 63 and rallied behind the slogan of 'Vote Ko Izzat Do' (Respect the Vote), is now vowing to establish the unequivocal supremacy of parliament.

In order to do that, articles 62 and 63 would be amended or restored to their original position, while Article 63-A shall also be clarified.

“Abolish NAB,” the PML-N’s 51-page manifesto states. “[It will] strengthen existing anti-corruption institutions and agencies.”

The party’s 2024 to 2029 manifesto also promises judges’ accountability; time-bound disposal of complaints against judges of superior courts; live telecast of important matters under adjudication before the superior courts, including the proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council; and vowed that an inclusive procedure for appointment of superior court Judges on merit would be adopted.

The party also aims to collaborate with the superior courts, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan and provincial justice committees to bring about reforms for the overall development of the legal system.

The PML-N has promised to legislate to ensure that no case is continuously leftover or not heard for a period exceeding maximum two months; it would limit adjudication time to one year, especially for cases affecting the life of a common citizen; and ensure time-bound disposal of civil litigation and criminal cases spreading over generations and decades, respectively, through legislative intervention.

Promising to overhaul codes for the 21st century, the PML-N has said that it would introduce comprehensive amendments in Civil Procedure Code of 1908 and Criminal Procedure Code of 1898 to standardise the procedural laws.

The party, which itself faced allegations of money laundering, has now said that it would strengthen the anti-money laundering laws.

Also, the PML-N said, it would implement witness protection programmes.

The party would go for establishing e-courts for time and resource-efficient justice, saying appointment of additional judges with special focus on meticulous adherence to proper processes prisons, probation, and parole.
The party is also gearing up to introduce “the ‘Panchayat System’ for alternate dispute resolution”.

Nawaz, who along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz, among other family members, spent time behind bars, had promised to review and improve jail manuals according to international best practices; ensure jails serve as correction centres where prisoners attain education and skills so that they return as positive contributors to society; ensure adequate facilities in prisons for women and juvenile inmates, including infants imprisoned with their mothers; and ensure availability of psychological counsellors at all prisons.

Under the governance reforms, the PML-N has promised to transform the civil service into a highly capable service provider by promoting a merit-based system at all levels through improvements in recruitment, postings, promotion, training and incentives.

The party also wishes to make the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) all powerful as the party manifesto vows to “empower the ECP to undertake all election related matters, including demarcation and delimitation”.

Under local governments’ reforms, the PML-N has promised political and administrative empowerment, saying constitutional amendment would be made to further strengthen the financial and administrative powers of local governments, including elections within 90 days of dissolution.

 

The party says that mandatory youth representation at every tier of the local government would be introduced and the party would devolve primary health (basic health unit), primary education (primary and middle schools), social welfare, family planning, sports, transport, child protection, public health, disaster management, rescue services, tourism and environment to local governments.

Read: Nawaz vows to revive the ‘golden era’

In order to deter ill-intentioned pursuits, the PML-N says it would curb frivolous litigation through the judicious application of Section 182 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and discourage misuse of the legal system; introduce a compensation schedule under sections 35 and 35A of the Code of Civil Procedure to deter false and frivolous litigation, and safeguard the interest of affected parties.

 

The manifesto says that the PML-N would go for “legislation on initiation of False Criminal and Civil cases by imposing exemplary costs and in extreme cases imprisonment”.

For effective, fair, and timely prosecution, the party manifesto states that it would connect police stations, investigation, forensic laboratories, prosecution, courts and prisons through robust data systems; initiate combined training courses for judges, executive magistrates, investigating officers and public prosecutors; and improve capacity of the prosecutor general's office.

For fiscal empowerment, the party’s agenda document promises formalising provincial finance commissions with minimum 30% gross revenue receipts for local governments; restructuring provincial finance commissions for equitable distribution, prioritising under-developed districts; empowering local governments for localised revenue generation through taxation methods, including reforming property tax; develop innovative financing methods such as municipal bonds and land value capture and empowering local governments in environmental management, particularly in land use, energy, and transport.

Among other constitutional reforms, the PML-N aims to empower the people; right to education shall be strengthened; right to healthcare, including access to clean water and proper sanitation, shall be added; right to access to justice shall be recognised; and right to good governance shall be accepted.