Muhammad Asad
ISLAMABAD: The name of the incumbent NAB’s Chairman will be included in the list of potential candidates for the slot of next Chairman of the anti-Graft watchdog to have greater poll of talent for selection of future Chief of the financial regulators. It was shared by the Federal Minister for Law Barrister Farogh Nassem flanked by the Federal Minister for information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain during a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The two Ministers appeared to the media together to remove the controversy arose yesterday due to contradiction of the statements made by the pair of the deputies regarding Prime Minister’s Consultation to the Opposition leader in National Assembly Mian Shahbaz Sharif over the issue of appointment of next Chairman of the NAB as the sitting Chief regulator has completed his four-year term in office.
Minister for Law Barrister, Farogh Nassem categorically said that the two Ministers has made similar statements but in different way and Prime Minister Imran Khan would not consult the opposition leader regarding appointment of the Chairman NAB rather President will facilitate the process of consultation with Prime Minister and Opposition leader because President is the appointing authority of the NAB’s Chairman.
While digging the details of newly introduced amendment in the National Accountability ordinance (NRO) regarding appointment of the Chief regulators, Farogh Nassem informed the media that the word non-extendable has been removed in the new draft.
Law Minister said that the cabinet has held in-depth discussions on the matter and decided to include the names of incumbent Chairman NAB along with several previous chairmen in the list of potential nominees for the purpose of having a greater poll of talent for selection.
According to Farogh Nassem, if the consensus could not be achieved after the necessary consultation, the existing Chairman NAB would continue his office while exercising all powers and privileges vested in the position of Chairman NAB until selection of permanent Chairman of the institution.
Law Minister said that in such situation the Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser will constitute a parliamentary committee of both houses comprising members from the treasury and the opposition to settle down the issue.
While commenting on the performance of existing Chairman NAB, Law Minister said that the performance of existing Chairman NAB can be easily judged while comparing his work with his predecessors and recoveries made by the financial watch dog during his tenure.
While discussing details of the proposed ordinance, Farogh Nassem said that government intends to enhance the role of Prosecutor General in functioning of NAB and under proposed framework the Prosecutor General will advise the Chairman NAB regarding the continuation of the cases or otherwise.
While commending the apex court Law Minister said that government wants to increase the number of NAB Courts to 90 as per the direction of Supreme Court.
He said that through amendment government enabled the retired and serving judges of district, additional districts, and special courts to be appointed as NAB Court Judge with the consultation of Supreme Court or Concerned High Court, provided their age is less than 68 years.
While speaking to the occasion, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain reiterated his yesterday stance that Prime Minister Imran Khan will not consult the opposition leader as far as slot is being occupied by the Shahbaz Sharif.
Fawad said that government would be open to the opposition for their suggestions regarding the ordinance and positive contribution would be incorporated in the proposed bill.
