Chinks in the party armour?

Awan's speech appears to be reflective of what critics describe as a ‘disconnect’ between top leaders in the PPP.

ISLAMABAD: A speech by the Law Minister Dr Babar Awan in the National Assembly on Tuesday, to defend last month’s ‘controversial’ changes to the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) rules, appears to be reflective of what critics of the government describe as a ‘disconnect’ between the top leaders in the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.

Awan blatantly challenged Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s last week’s claim that he wasn’t aware of the September 16 change in the NAB ordinance till it was brought to the parliament. He rejected the PM’s assertion, saying that the ordinance was issued on the advice of the premier and it was in his knowledge in advance.

“Premier Gilani knew about the issuance of NAB’s new ordinance, XVIII 2010, promulgated by the president,” said the law minister.

“The summary was sent to the PM’s Principal Secretary Nargis Sethi on September 6, and later the premier sent his advice for the issuance of the newly amended NAB’s ordinance to President Zardari,” he added.

Gilani, however, told the National Assembly on Friday: “The new ordinance was promulgated by President Zardari without my advice on September 16, which was essential under clause one of Article 48 and 89 (1) of 1973 Constitution”.

During his speech, Awan rejected the allegations levelled by the opposition legislators that the NAB’s amended ordinance was promulgated without the cabinet’s approval. “No powers had been transferred to the law ministry under the newly-promulgated ordinance,” he said.

Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz leader, Zaffar Ali Shah, who challenged the ordinance in the Supreme Court, said that the law minister’s statement is a mysterious one as it indicates a lack of understanding between the prime minister and the president.

“Two types of governments, that of the prime minister and the president, intervening each other in handling legal issues hangs like a sword over the heads of public servants,” Shah said.

PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Gondal called Awan’s speech part of a “political game”. However, he did not explain what this meant.

A citizen Shahid Orakzai also filed a petition under article 184 (3) of the Constitution seeking the court ruling on violation of the ordinance by the president.

It has been reported that under the amended ordinance, the powers of the NAB chief have been reduced and transferred to the law minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2010.