Questionable accountability: NAB chief appointed amidst controversy
Fasih Bokhari takes up position amid fierce criticism from the PML-N .
ISLAMABAD:
It’s official – for now. The government on Sunday confirmed the appointment of retired Chief of Naval Staff Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari as new chief of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The move was immediately rejected, however, by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), who may now challenge the appointment in the Supreme Court. “A decision regarding the future course of action will be taken after consultation over legal aspects,” said PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan.
Bokhari was tight-lipped, having formally assumed charge on Sunday night. Speaking to The Express Tribune after his name was first proposed for the slot, Bokari said he would “meet the nation’s expectations of running the accountability process smoothly.”
President Zardari last week sought the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on the appointment of Bokhari. It is a legal requirement for the president to consult the two office holders on the issue.
Nisar, in response to the president’s letter, rejected Bokhari for the post on “technical grounds.” Nisar added that he was “of the view that the panel of possible candidates should be drawn up mutually and the nominee finalised after meaningful, purposive and consensus-oriented consultation.”
After thanking Nisar on Friday, Zardari dismissed this suggestion, saying it was devoid of any legal basis. “Meaningful consultation can be done even on a single person and for that purpose you are taken on board quite candidly,” the president wrote to the opposition leader.
The Supreme Court may be called into action over the issue again, having declared a former appointee of the government, Justice (retd) Deedar Hussain Shah, unsuitable for the post in March this year. The government’s review petition against the dismissal of Deedar Shah is still pending with the court.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.
It’s official – for now. The government on Sunday confirmed the appointment of retired Chief of Naval Staff Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari as new chief of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The move was immediately rejected, however, by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), who may now challenge the appointment in the Supreme Court. “A decision regarding the future course of action will be taken after consultation over legal aspects,” said PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan.
Bokhari was tight-lipped, having formally assumed charge on Sunday night. Speaking to The Express Tribune after his name was first proposed for the slot, Bokari said he would “meet the nation’s expectations of running the accountability process smoothly.”
President Zardari last week sought the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on the appointment of Bokhari. It is a legal requirement for the president to consult the two office holders on the issue.
Nisar, in response to the president’s letter, rejected Bokhari for the post on “technical grounds.” Nisar added that he was “of the view that the panel of possible candidates should be drawn up mutually and the nominee finalised after meaningful, purposive and consensus-oriented consultation.”
After thanking Nisar on Friday, Zardari dismissed this suggestion, saying it was devoid of any legal basis. “Meaningful consultation can be done even on a single person and for that purpose you are taken on board quite candidly,” the president wrote to the opposition leader.
The Supreme Court may be called into action over the issue again, having declared a former appointee of the government, Justice (retd) Deedar Hussain Shah, unsuitable for the post in March this year. The government’s review petition against the dismissal of Deedar Shah is still pending with the court.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.