President Zardari wrote back to Nisar, who rejected Bukhari’s nomination on technical grounds in a recent letter to the president. The government has nominated the former naval chief for the post, which has been vacant since March when the Supreme Court rejected the appointment of Justice (retd) Deedar Hussain Shah.
In his letter, Zardari claimed that Nisar had not commented on the profile and integrity of the nominee.
According to the president’s spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, Zardari referred to a clause in the NAB Ordinance 1999 and said that the proper course of the law had been followed in the appointment.
Babar said the president rejected Nisar’s suggestion that a panel of names be sent to him for consultation saying that the suggestion was devoid of any legal basis. Instead, Babar added, the president wanted “meaningful consultation” with Nisar whom he had “taken on board quite candidly.”
Referring to the implementation of superior courts verdicts mentioned in the letter of the opposition leader, the president said that a bill was already pending in parliament. “In order to implement the judgments of the superior courts referred to in your letter a bill is proposed by the federal government and is pending in the Parliament, wherein a process of consideration of the bill by members of parliament is taking place”, the president said in the letter.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2011.
(Read: ‘Not consulted’: Opposition rejects another NAB chief)
Read the full text of the letter here.
COMMENTS (8)
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Every appointment by the Govt is rejected and challenged by the rightwing parties, no matter who he/she is. The sad thing is that when an important appointment is made so called intellectual level unsubstantiated allegation against President by yearning the word controversial appointment. Earlier appointment of Deedar Shah, Mr. Rana and others have been declared by judiciary and spear heads However, only a few days later the activist CJ had to eat a humble pie and give oath to same Mr. Rana. What a joke this PCO judiciary has become? They have no time for more important constitutional petitions, appeals against the lower courts, and cases languishing for decades. However, they jump at each and every opportunity to challenge the right of executive to make appointments according to the law. What did the PML-N and PCO Chief justice gain by politicizing the appointment of Mr. Rana? Not only Chief Justice of Pakistan but PML-N always came with tooth and nails to malign every single person appointed by Government, on the other hand even an SHO in Lahore police station is appointed after giving an interview to Mr. Shahbaz Sharif. PML-N must look into own mirror.
@Imran: The Supreme Court ofPakistan in its last judgement clearly advised that the appointment of NAB Chairman by the government, henceforth,will be decided in consultation with the leader of opposition & the Chief Justice of Pakistan.In this case the CJP has been totally ignored.
@k. Salim Jahangir: Doesn't make any sense. You can't have investigation, prosecution, and judgement by the same person.
How about consultation with the Chief Justice of Pakistan?
Really worried. The governance needs to urgently improve and so does the economy. I hope people realise the depth and breadth of the mess the country is in.
Courts do not have judges in full strength, State bank does not have a Governor , FBR is in screen saver mode, International community has lost respect for the country and this is clear from the fact that only 12% of appeal for flood relief of UN has been committed.
There is serious security problem in the country, massive power shortage...
Why not follow the procedure in letter and spirit and appoint a person of high integrity as Chairman NAB.after due consultation with leader of opposition and Chief Justice?.
If Mr Bukhari is true to his reputation: 'honest guy', Wonder why Zardari is pushing for Bukhari's nomination even upon N-League's disapproval? I mean something is missing somewhere. Anyone?
The PML-N's constant objections seem suspect. Especially when a name such as Adm.(r) Bukhari, perceived to be a 'good guy' is put forward. Truly Mr Zardari is always two steps ahead of Nawaz.
Let the new NAB Chairman work and make NAB a productive department to deal with iron hand the corrupt people in the country.