Law Minister Rashid says NAB should be a scourge for criminals, a puppy for innocents
PPP, PTI call for reforms in NAB, demand an end to plea bargains and more transparency in NAB operations
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday informed the National Assembly that the government wanted accountability in which no corrupt elements could be spared.
“We want an accountability where no one can disgrace the innocents but corrupt elements are not spared,” he said while responding to a motion, moved by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Imran Khan Zafar Leghari regarding the performance of National Accountably Bureau (NAB).
The information minister said it was the need of the hour to make the accountability process more transparent, and added that suggestions from the opposition to further improve the system would be welcomed.
He said the NAB chairman had been appointed with the consultation of the opposition.
The minister said the NAB chairman had also admitted that there was a need to improve the accountability process, adding that complaints against his department’s employees should be addressed.
He said that the points raised by the opposition members required proper attention.
Pervaiz Rashid said Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali had rightly pointed out that everyone should check their approach.
He said the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had changed their accountability laws and the people had criticised them for it.
He said that there was no doubt that the accountability process had been used as tool to victimize the opponents but the system had also delivered to some extent.”We have a history of good and bad accountability as well,” he added.
Earlier, participating in the discussion on a matter of urgent public importance, MNA Imran Leghari said there should be accountability of corrupt persons.
He said that from 1947 to 1997, there was no institution of accountability in the country but the ratio of corruption was also low during this era.
MNA Murad Saeed said there is a dire need of reforms in the NAB.
He said NAB should stop the process of pre-bargaining and its operations should be transparent.
Former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said that the previous government of PPP had made 25 cases against Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said that criticism is everyone’s right but they should keep in mind their own tenures in office.
He said that corruption cannot be eliminated completely but it can be reduced to a minimum level.
Earlier, opening discussion on the performance of NAB, Imran Zafar Leghari of PPP said that the dictator had set up NAB only to change the loyalty of some politicians.
Terming the NAB ordinance black law, he said it was set up for political victimisation.
He urged the politicians to join hands against this evil act. He alleged that NAB was creating hurdles for the government.
Criticising the NAB Chairman’s powers, he said under the existing laws, the NAB chairman and its investigative officers enjoyed unlimited power. “Who will ensure their accountability,” he observed.