Shah NA opposition leader Syed Khursheed Shah. PHOTO: FILE
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday formally informed National Assembly opposition leader Syed Khursheed Shah that Justice (retd) Bhagwandas did not fulfill the mandatory criteria for holding the post of Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), since the former judge had recently retired as Chairman Federal Public Service Commission.
Shah is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif this week to discuss the appointment of Chairman NAB. The two leaders would particularly discuss bringing an amendment in the law to pave way for appointing Bhagwandas as Chairman NAB.
Khursheed Shah had earlier forwarded two names to the Prime Minister: Mohammad Raza Khan and Justice (retd) Bhagwandas, but the government has raised objection to the latter.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Shah confirmed that he had a detailed discussion with Dar over the issue on Tuesday. The PPP leader said that he suggested that the clause obstructing Bhagwandas’ appointment be removed so that a credible person is appointed as Chairman NAB, in the larger national interest. In principle, Shah said, Dar agreed with my argument but the final decision lies with the Prime Minister.
“If the Prime Minister also agrees with me, then we will amend the clause through an ordinance, which will be rectified within 90 days in the Parliament”. He added that there is no harm in removing a clause for the country’s good.
Dar asked Shah to hold a meeting with the PM to discuss the issue and finalize a suitable candidate for the post, which is lying vacant since the Supreme Court sent the former Chairman NAB Fasih Bokhari home on grounds that the PPP government did not consult the opposition leader while appointing him as NAB chairman, which is constitutionally mandatory.
Dar made it clear that the government did not have any question over the credibility and professional reputation of Justice Bhagwandas, only that some legal complications were creating hurdles in considering the retired Supreme Court judge for the position.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2013.
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These 2 parties have not learned a single lesson from history. They continue to operate as if the constitution is at their whim and they can change it to suit their purposes. Why should the constitution be amended so they can get one person in? Is the country devoid of any suitable candidate who meets the legal requirements? This is one example of how these 2 parties have corrupted the government in the past, and they are doing it now. Remember when Nawaz Sharif in the 90s changed the constitution to avoid contempt of court? This is not democracy, it is dictatorship.
minorities anywhere in I-slamic country can not prosper, muhammad sow the seed/weeds of the tools which automatically destroys other faiths. They are not only treated as "sub-humans" but also as "un-humans".
Althoguh Bhagwandas, is amongst the most reputed judges. But His Bias'ness isn't something unkown either, a very hard-headed person. And Most impotantly a close ally of both PPP & PMLN, who had supported him Judge Detetion case, by musharraf. So its about time Bhagwandas returns the favor. TIT FOR TAT.
Bhagwandas as a judge was well known for his bias. Rule of Law is not about changing or tinkering with laws to benefit a few. Has Pakistan gone bankrupt in credibility. Mr. Khurshid Shah try making Sindh governable. The last give years all you have to your credit is disrespecting the Supreme Court and its judgments. Stop corrupting the present government.
An honest Bureaucrat will do the job. And we can see the difference between Indian and Pakistani election commission, to judge the difference b/w a judge and a bureaucrat e.g
Mr Bhagwandas's appointment will amount to handing over NAB to the judiciary. Supreme Court and NAB will be a killer combination.
Why oh why don't we ever learn? Why do we even think of changing the laws, rules, regulations for a particular person? Mr Bhagwandas is by all accounts an honest and credible person who did a fine and brave job as acting CJ. But you don't build institutions by tinkering with the rules at every opportunity.
Yeah Good job, keep removing clauses that you two parties dont like for your self.