National Accountability Bill: NA panel fails to win over the opposition

PML-N expresses reservations, calls it ‘toothless authority’.


Our Correspondent November 12, 2012

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Monday met behind closed doors to discuss the newly introduced The National Accountability Commission Bill 2012 but fell short of convincing the opposition to come onboard.

Law Minister Farooq H Naek said that the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice had examined the entire bill, adding that the committee would meet again on November 14 to address those clauses of the bill on which consensus could not be evolved.

However, the main opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has reservations over the bill in its entirety.

Criticising the bill, PML-N’s Zahid Hamid told reporters that the proposed commission is nothing more than a toothless authority as it fails to empower the commission.

“The commission would not have the authority to freeze property (of the accused) out of the country,” he added.

Hamid also expressed concerns of his party over the fact that the commission would not have the authority to investigate cases older than 10 years.

According to the new bill, the chairman of the commission can either be a retired Supreme Court judge or someone who has served as a grade-22 federal government officer.

In the previous bill, the opposition had insisted the chairman be a retired Supreme Court judge.

The government has tabled the new bill during the last month after Standing committee on Law and Justice could not evolve consensus over The National Accountability Commission Act, 2010.

COMMENTS (2)

Masroor | 11 years ago | Reply

PML N is trying to portray itself as mr. Clean, It is very evident that Mian Sahibaan are the most corrupt people. Now they are not letting the government abolish with General's draconian law. Mian sahibaan, it is not sure that you will win the next elections, nor the Chief Justice will be there to protect you in every matter (as he does) after a few months. You always portray as hard liners, its the time, help government passing the bill. You are also corruppt and cases are lying there with the NAB, thanks to this "honest judiciary" who is not getting them opened, what will happen when Ch. Iftikhar is gone.

A J Khan | 11 years ago | Reply

This bill is deliberately being made favorable for the cons, crooks and economic hit men so that the incoming Government cannot lay hand on the corruption of the present regime, which has looted the people of Pakistan in the name of Democracy with consensus. That was the revenge of Democracy as claimed by PPP leadership on the people of Pakistan

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