| New ordinance omits NAB Chief’s removal procedure | Fraud cases again handed over to NAB | No relief will be given to Asif Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Shahid Khaqan

ISLAMABAD   -  The federal government on Monday issued National Accountability (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.

The latest ordinance was released immediately after approval of President Arif Alvi.

According to the newly-promulgated ordinance, the authority of removing NAB chairman has been taken from Supreme Judicial Council. In the new draft, the cases pertaining to cheating and fraud once again have been handed over to the anti-graft watchdog. 

The draft says that no relief will be given to Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The ordinance allows following the manner of recording of evidence already in place using old system till the installation of electronic devices. It shall come into force at once and the amendments shall be deemed to have taken effect on and from the October 6, 2021, says the draft. 

President Alvi, last month, approved the NAB ordinance. Under the amendments, the power to appoint the NAB chief will be exercised by none other than the president himself. The draft also stated the current NAB chairman will have all the powers till the appointment of a new one and the president will appoint the NAB chairman in consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.

Also, the federal government has omitted the procedure regarding the removal of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief. Last month, the government had promulgated an ordinance regarding amendments in NAO 1999. Now, once again, the government has promulgated the ordinance for more amendments in accountability ordinance.

In October this year, the government had issued the NAB Ordinance that had extended the tenure of the incumbent NAB chief till his successor could be appointed.

It also read that its provisions would not be applicable to matters pertaining to federal, provincial, or local taxation, other levies or imports -- including refunds or loss of exchequer pertaining to taxation.

The ordinance was opposed by the opposition parties whereas a plea was also filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the ordinance. The petitioner had contented any deletion from the incorporation in an existing statute or enactment was ultra vires to the extent that it had favoured one person.