Sans Shehbaz Sharif opposition can consult on NAB chief's appointment, Fawad says

The minister told a presser that the Opposition had to replace its leader, if they wanted consultation with the government on appointment of the NAB’s chief.

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem was also present.

"Prime Minister Imran Khan will not speak to Shehbaz Sharif at any cost," Fawad made it clear.

“Now its up to President of Pakistan, as I speak for Prime Minister,” he said, adding neither he knowledgeable about the opinion of President, nor consulted the President Office in this regard.

The minister said consultation with Shahbaz Sharif on the appointment of NAB Chairman will be tantamount to assigning the investigator a thief on his whims and wishes.

If Shahbaz Sharif has an iota of shame, he should step down from the position of opposition leader in the National Assembly, the minister said while wondering over the insistence of Shahbaz to become a part of the consultation on appointment of NAB Chairman.

He sarcastically said some people wanted that the government should appoint the Station House Officer (SHO) after consulting the thieves.

Fawad said the government had omitted clauses pertaining to private and banking conflicts and tax related issues from the Ordinance to be promulgated after the President’s nod.

The government would issue the Ordinance in a first place, later an Act of Parliament would be introduced after consultation with opposition to further improve the NAB law.

The suggestions from opposition would also be incorporated in the amendments of the NAB law if there would be any.

Now the bureau would concentrate on its original task of eradication of
corruption, Fawad said, adding, but its performance was compromised with additional responsibilities after inclusion of business and other crimes.

He said the NAB would now concentrate on nabbing the ‘big fish’.

The FBR has been authorized to arrest the tax evaders, he said, adding the government was striving to strengthen the state institutions including the NAB.

SOURCE: AP