Taming of the NAB?

As it gears up to shine a light on the misdoings of the big fish, NAB is proving to be an unexpected thorn in the government’s side.

One would think that after years of complaining about transparency and fabricated corruption cases, the PML-N would show greater enthusiasm when NAB finally starts showing some backbone in dealing with corruption allegations. Instead, PM Nawaz’s outburst in Bahawalpur revealed that all was not well between the government and the Bureau. But why, after years of complaining about NAB being little more than a tool of political manipulation, fabricated corruption cases and putting a longstanding Sharif loyalist at its head, would the ruling party be worried about NAB’s progress in its home-province?

Why is PML-N concerned about NAB operations?

As prominent journalist Ayaz Amir explained, it all boiled to one thing: powerful people don’t like being scrutinised.

“There are a couple of (NAB’s activities) that are annoying the government at the moment,” he said, “one of which being the arrest of Amir Latif – they aren’t happy about that.”

The man in question is the contractor for the controversial Orange Line Project, who was arrested on fake payment charges for another project. There were several allegations in the media that the government was putting pressure on the Bureau to release the man, which NAB was apparently resisting.

“There are also reports,” Ayaz pointed out, “that NAB is looking into other projects as well, like the construction of Raiwand Road, and appointments in FIA. There is a provision that for any project above Rs500m, information has to be provided to NAB. Now, in these matters, I think the ruling party is not very comfortable with this.”

And as Amir pointed out, there are still open cases against the prime minister and his family that have not yet been disposed of. In fact, both the PM and the CM Punjab have had to repeatedly get stay orders to halt NAB from proceeding on said cases.

“They just don’t like being scrutinised,” said Amir, “and all of this is what led to the prime minister’s outburst, and the statements by people like Pervez Rashid, who said we (the government) only want to ‘trim NAB’s nails’, and that “accountability wouldn’t be allowed to stand in the way of progress.”

Speculation abounds — where did the backbone come from?

There is also a secondary matter niggling away at the brains of those looking on as this drama unfolds — the fact that the head of this newly invigorated Accountability Bureau is a longstanding PML-N supporter. Which begs the question – why would he defy or oppose the writ of the ruling party? Ayaz Amir pointed out that there was already a theory regarding that being circulated in the media:

“The only political angle to this is ‘could NAB by itself defy the government or cause so much annoyance the government?’ Many people think NAB couldn’t have done this on its own; that there’s someone behind it, strengthening its spine and adding to its muscle. And in the media, there’s the belief that it’s the army.”

Of course, he added, that was all speculation. The idea of Pakistan’s army being involved in all matters of the government is an old one. It’s fiercely debated, and the phrase “army involvement” is thrown around frequently, as is the concept that any step taken by the state or bureaucracy – positive or negative – must have been influenced by some all seeing, all powerful force. One could argue that that such a mindset is to be expected considering that the country has spent more than half of its existence under military rule. But, as Ayaz Amir emphasised, speculation about the army – or any third party or establishment for that matter — influencing NAB’s apparent show of strength is just that — speculation. There is no proof, nor is there any confirmation of the media’s “sources” or “reports”.

That being said, he agreed that NAB’s current “defiance” was putting the government in an uncomfortable situation.

“The NAB chairman has been a Sharif loyalist throughout,” he said, “so he’s not an outsider.”

“The Supreme Court asked NAB about pending cases, and it (NAB) came up with a long list, in which were included references and cases against the ruling party, and against the prime minister. Now, I’m sure the ruling party would have been very upset. It undermines your position. They would not have been happy or amused by that.”

NAB – a tool of political manipulation?

It is ironical of course that the PML-N government would take issue with anti-corruption proceedings in its home province, as opposition leaders have pointed out.

“In Pakistani history, ‘accountability’ operations have always been used as political tools, especially in the times of dictators,” groused PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira.

“It was alright when it (anti corruption operation) was being carried out in Sind but now everyone from CM Punjab onwards has said that we won’t allow NAB to enter Punjab.”

The PPP leader pointed out that when the Karachi operation began and the arrest of members, leaders and supporters of Sind based PPP and MQM on corruption charges began in earnest, the PML-N had stayed mum. Asif Ali Zardari was especially vocal on the government’s silence, likening it to “victimisation policies of the 1990’s”.

This policy of looking the other way had not gone well with the members of the opposition, especially PPP, which analysts speculated must have expected some show of support or involvement by the federal government. But as NAB turned its eye towards PML-N’s home base Punjab, there arose speculation in the media that there may be an improvement in relations between the two parties. In fact, after the PM’s threats of establishing a commission to oversee NAB operations in his Bahawalpur address, many wondered if the PPP wouldn’t also have a hand in creating or overseeing the said commission, and if negotiations in this regard hadn’t already started.

The taming of the NAB

“I don’t know where the media gets these stories,” snapped Qamar Zaman Kaira when the question was put to him, “there have been no such conversations or collaborations. We (PPP) are a responsible member of the opposition, and we shall do our duty as such. No one is stepping in NAB’s way.”

One could point out however that during his address in Bahawalpur, PM Nawaz had made statements to the contrary, indicating that the government could set up a commission to oversee NAB’s work. If that were to happen, who would be on the commission? Who would, to borrow the Latin proverb, “watch the watchmen” and oversee the work against corruption?

“Who else will?” said Kaira, “whose job it is. It’s NAB’s job. NAB will do it and no one will stand in their way.”

Kaira also waved away the possibility of a commission to oversee NAB operations, regarding speculation on the matter as baseless.

“There was a provision in the charter of democracy that proposed the establishment of a commission to oversee NAB’s operations,” he said. “The government hasn’t yet taken any steps regarding it. They haven’t yet. If they do, well, we’ll see then.”

Ayaz Amir was also sceptical about the creation of such a commission, and dismissed it as a threat made in the heat of the moment.

“Was the PM serious about creating it? No,” he said, “I don’t think so, because the political backlash would be too great. Would PML-N be able to carry it out? I think not. I think it’s very unlikely that the government would tame NAB.”