ISLAMABAD: Confusion prevailed in government ranks over the issue of consultation with Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on the appointment of the next National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman as three cabinet members issued conflicting statements on the matter.
Hours after Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told mediapersons during his post-cabinet meeting press conference that it had been decided that Prime Minister Imran Khan would not consult Shehbaz Sharif on the appointment of the new chief of the anti-graft watchdog and an ordinance would be promulgated on Wednesday (today) to allow incumbent NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal to continue in office till his successor was appointed, Law Minister Farogh Naseem announced in a television show that Prime Minister Khan would consult the opposition leader on the matter.
“Although there is a conflict of interest if Shehbaz Sharif, who is facing NAB cases, holds consultation, it’s up to him now whether he thinks he should consult the prime minister or not on the matter,” the law minister said.
He said earlier it was suggested that Mr Sharif should not be consulted, but later the government felt that the opposition would term it one-sided if he (Mr Sharif) was not allowed to hold consultations.
The minister said the name of Javed Iqbal was also being considered as the new chairman of the bureau.
He said under the new ordinance, trial courts (accountability courts) would be empowered to grant or reject bails…
Source.dawn.com
