Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Opposition leader Khurshid Shah on Wednesday narrowed down their differences over the appointment of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman and both of them agreed not to appoint a former judge and rather pick a former bureaucrat for the slot, Pakistan Today has learnt on authority.
“Both the politicians have agreed that no retired judge should be appointed as NAB chief, as judges had a tendency of being against politicians.”
This would be the first time that the opposition and government unanimously agree on shifting focus from retired judges to former bureaucrats for appointing NAB chief.
In the past, the opposition and treasury had never agreed over NAB chief’s appointment.
“Both leaders also agreed that a toothless personality should be given the job so as to keep politicians safe from NAB’s influence,” a source quoted a politician privy t9o the development as saying.
The source added that during the meeting, the prime minister proposed two new names for the slot – both former bureaucrats – Abdur Rauf Chaudhry and Shaukat Durrani.
“The prime minister and the opposition will meet today to finalise the name of new NAB chief and most likely Abdur Rauf Chaudhry will be appointed the new NAB chief,” the source added.
The source said the prime minister had asked for feedback of Chaudhry and if there was no negativity in the profile and his service record, he would be appointed the new NAB chief today (Thursday).
There are four cases of corruption pending in the NAB against the prime minister, while a graft case is also pending against the opposition leader and both wanted that the anti-crime watchdog chief sit on these files.
“So it is almost final now. Neither Justice (r) Ijaz Chaudhry nor Justice (r) Mian Ajmal will be appointed the NAB chief. Shaukat Durrani’s name is also not likely to be finalised. However, if the nomination of Abdur Rauf hits any snag, Durrani may succeed in a last minute debate,” the source added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition Khurshid Shah held talks over the appointment of NAB chairman.
During the meeting, Nawaz Sharif proposed dropping the names of Justice (r) Mian Muhammad Ajmal and Justice (r) Ijaz Chaudhry and presented two new names of Chaudhry Rauf and Shaukat Durrani for the coveted position, the source added.
Talking to reporters later, Khurshid Shah denied any deal with the prime minister over the appointment.
Shah said if he had struck any deal with the government, the appointment of NAB chief would have been made much earlier.
He described the meeting with the PM “positive” and said they discussed two new names for the slot.
Shah said four names that included two retired judges and two former bureaucrats were discussed.
The opposition leader said Nawaz would hold consultation with his team over the four names in this regard.
The next meeting will be held today (Thursday), Shah said, adding that “our continued engagements clearly reflect that both the leaders were serious for the early appointment of NAB chairman”.
Abdul rauf choudry is the best candidate for chairman nab.
NAB Chairman should not be a party to either of the two parties who took so much time to consider a name for this very important position. I hope the person who takes over this job will see to all the outstanding corruption cases and will not sit on the files of Nawaz Sharif and
Khurshid Shah Let us hope if cases are opened.
MUK MUKA. Imran was right, these two parties are in on it together. Both have looted the country and both want weak accountability person.
Lets find a guy that will do bugger all!
The said gentleman was Commissioner Rawalpindi/chairmanCDA in Nawaz Govt. He is thorough gentleman but I fear he may not be able to take bold decisions against the powerful lots.
This is Muk Muka between PMLN &PPP that they will not touch each other in Money Laundering,Tahirul Qadri should join Imran Khan minus MQM for a million march towards Islamabad for a revolutianry change
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