With the name of Mian Muhammad Ajmal, a former judge of the SC from Peshawar, under serious consideration, it seems both the government and opposition are inching towards evolving consensus over the appointment of NAB chairman.
Both Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah resumed their consultation over the search for ever elusive NAB chairman on Friday at Prime Minister Secretariat.
Talking to reporters, Shah said he proposed the name of Justice (r) Mian Muhammad Ajmal for the slot.
Interestingly, no name was proposed by the prime minister on this occasion.
Sources in the PPP said the name of Mian Ajmal was under consideration right now, though no decision had yet been taken.
It is learnt that the two sides would meet again to finalise the name.
Nawaz Sharif is expected to consult party leaders on the proposed names. It is also possible that the PML-N would like to consult with some other leaders before finalising a name.
Mian Ajmal is a former chief justice of Peshawer High Court. He also remained a judge of the Supreme Court.
PPP leaders said he must not be confused with Ajmal Mian, who was part of apex court presided over by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and who was part of efforts to remove Shah after his clash with then prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Earlier, the name of Justice (r) Javed Iqbal was making rounds in the political and legal circles. Sources disclosed that Justice Javed Iqbal probably was not suitable for both the PPP and PML-N and was not under consideration right now.
The office of the NAB chairman fell vacant after the exit of Admiral (r) Fasih Bokhari on orders of the apex court.
The SC has asked the government and opposition to fill the post or face consequences.