“The chairman has gone on leave as he needs time to decide on the line of action to be taken in the investigations,” says a NAB official. PHOTO: AFP
The head of the country’s chief anti-graft body went on leave for an indefinite period after the Supreme Court ordered action against him and others for impeding investigations and unlawfully transferring the chief investigation officer of the NICL scam case.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry proceeded to go on leave for an indefinite period following the decision by the Supreme Court in the National Insurance Company Limited case. “The chairman has gone on leave as he needs time to decide on the line of action to be taken in the investigations,” said a NAB official.
Chaudhry, among others, have been suspected of aiding an “illegal transfer of FIA’s Additional Director General Zafar Qureshi, the chief investigation officer of the NICL case.” He was interior secretary at the time. But now, the court asked him, as NAB chairman, to investigate himself, as former interior secretary.
The NAB official claimed that Chaudhry was sent on leave by the president and the government as they did not want him to resign. NAB chairman is a powerful position and no high-level investigation can be initiated without his direct authorisation, he argued.
“However, the chairman can answer to investigators’ questions by staying in power and by remaining on leave,” he said, adding that Chaudhry could delegate his powers to the deputy chairman under sections 7a, 34a and terms and conditions of service of National Accountability Ordinance 1999. The deputy chief would then decide to constitute an investigation team to probe the charges against Chaudhry or not.
If the charges against him are substantiated by the investigations, Chaudhry could then be arrested and proceeded against according to the law, said the NAB official. However, he was not required to be arrested during the investigations, he added.
The decision of a contempt-of-court charge was still pending against Chaudhry who has already submitted an unconditional apology before the apex court. Like his predecessor, Admiral (retd) Fasih Bukhari, the NAB chairman would have to leave his office regardless of the findings of the investigations against him in case he is found guilty of contempt of court.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2013.
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Why ousted DG NAB Kausar Iqbal Malik name was not taken by CJ
Let general kynia should be chair man national accountability
Gentlemen, i wish to make an appeal to all concerned. Know what. there are so many a honest man amongst us that could render sincere, selfless and totally unbiased service in bringing all those people, parties and institution to justice that are or have been involved in corruption or misuse of authority.
The only problem in availing such an opportunity by selecting the right person, is because either he or she has no connections or fail to qualify because of non political support. Let me give you an example. Why is it that the LAW in our country is not respected ????. SIMPLE. The law enforcers are either not educated or have not been trained to execute its correct practices. If one had to understand why is it that this happens. Again, simple. The selection criteria is based on need basis, and not on the substance of the individual being hired. We have so many a young educated men from good families with army background that could be hired in the policing of the LAW. But unfortunately 'NO SIR'.
Suggest, a advertisement be circulated calling for applicants from all over country to fill the position of Chairman NAB. I assure you will be surprised on the available "HUMAN RESOURCE".
Thank you.
Pretty ....ed up Institutions and those who select people of notoriety.
Qamar zaman took over as Chairman NAB very recently while the case in in court since last two years. Past record proves that Supreme Court see NAB as its rival setup and does not allow it to function. Ever since Musharraf Government has ended, every Chairman NAB has been nabbed by CJP. They want their own man from that chamber over there.
Lolz ..................And PMLN and PPP were defending his appointment not too long ago !
quote-“illegal transfer of FIA’s Additional Director General Zafar Qureshi, the chief investigation officer of the NICL case".
SC-CJ the honorable did not take up the issue at his appointment as NAB chief?
Perfect definition of conflict of interest. How can he possibly investigate himself, that too remaining unbiased.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!