PML-N rejects govt recommendations for NAB chairman

Two recommendations, Justice (retired) Deedar Hussain and PPP MPA Mukhtar Ahmed Junejo, were rejected by the PML-N.

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday rejected the names recommended by the government for the post of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman.

The party said the prime minister should have finalised the names after consulting all parties.

Talking to Express News, opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar said the prime minister had sent two recommendations, one was that of Justice (retired) Deedar Hussain, while the second was of former judge and PPP MPA Mukhtar Ahmed Junejo.

He said the PML-N did not consider either of them to be suitable for the position.

Chaudhry Nisar said he had written a letter to the prime minister stating a neutral person should be appointed for the post after mutual consultation.

The Supreme Court had given ten days to the Attorney General on September 21 for the appointment of the new NAB Chairman.

According to sources the previous NAB Chairman Naveed Ahsan had decided to step down after a visible conflict between the Supreme Court and the government over the reopening of cases under the NRO. However, the premier had asked him to continue his duties till his replacement was found.

On this, Ahsan took a long leave of absence, but the Supreme Court summoned him following which he reassumed his responsibilities. Sources said that Law Minister Babar Awan summoned Ahsan to his office and told him that, in line with the Supreme Court ruling, it was imperative that he resigned.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is a governmental organisation that deals with corruption, it was formed immediately after former President Perver Musharraf came into power in 1999.