NAB chief gives powers to deputy

A notification says the move was aimed at improving the bureau's efficiency.

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the newly-appointed chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Syed Deedar Hussain, has delegated all of his powers to his deputy with immediate effect, highly-placed sources told The Express Tribune.

The NAB chief, it was learnt, took the decision soon after assuming his responsibilities.

After the delegation of powers to the deputy chairman, the NAB will continue to function even in the absence of the bureau’s chief, the sources added.

According to a notification issued by the NAB’s director-general, Khurshid Alam, the move was aimed at improving the bureau’s overall efficiency.

The deputy chairman, Javed Zia Qazi, an officer of the customs group, was inducted into the bureau just a few months ago. He had remained suspended from service during the Musharraf regime. He was accused of a number of misdemeanors but, his friends said that he was actually suspended “because he belonged to Nawabshah”.

Musharraf had also ordered the Federal Board or Revenue (FBR) to initiate an inquiry against him for alleged corruption.

The appointment of the new NAB chairman has been challenged in the Supreme Court by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, on behalf of the Pakistan Muslim League-N.

According the notification: “The deputy chairman shall examine cases and files placed before him, and shall forward such matters to the chairman where a policy decision is required or approval of the chairman is necessary.”

The deputy chairman, it said, “shall keep the chairman regularly informed about all important cases and issues,” besides keeping the chairman apprised about the progress in ongoing cases and issues. The notification said: “In term of Section 7(A) and 34-A of National Accountability Ordinance of 1999, the chairman is pleased to delegate following powers and authorise the deputy chairman to perform the functions mentioned below with a view to improve the level of efficiency, performance, coordination and overall working of NAB.

“All divisions and wings at the NAB headquarters, including the operations, prosecution, A&P and HR&F divisions and overseas, IT and intelligence and vigilance wings shall submit all cases and matters to the deputy chairman for further processing or appropriate orders. Any matter or case which is to be placed before the chairman shall invariably be sent through the respective DG/Director to deputy chairman who, after examining the file and merit of the case, may forward important matters to the chairman for final orders.”

“The deputy chairman shall oversee the working of HR & finance divisions and other divisions/wings in order to ensure smooth and timely disposal of administrative matters.

“All administrative, HR, services and other matters pertaining to officers of up to grade-20 or equivalent shall be placed before the deputy chairman for information and appropriate orders. Deputy Chairman shall preside over all departmental board for the appointment and promotions of all officers up to grade-20 as per TCS and the appointment of experts in terms of Section 28(f) of NAO.”

The notification is dated October 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2010.