ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has rejected a list of nominees for the post of the prosecutor general of the National Accountability Bureau.
PM Abbasi rejected a summary of five nominees sent by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. Instead, the prime minister proposed three separate names for the vacant post.
However, NAB chairman instead returned the PM’s directive saying the appointment should be made from the five nominees. Under the law, the appointment is made by the prime minister after consulting with NAB chairman.
The development maintains a deadlock between the government and the NAB chairman on the appointment of prosecutor general of the accountability watchdog.
Last month, NAB chairman has sent a list of five lawyers to the government to pick from. He proposed the names of Mudassir Khalid Abbasi, Shah Khawar, Syed Asghar Haider, Fasih-ul-Mulk and Nasir Saeed Sheikh.
However, the federal government seeks to nominate a lawyer of its choice as the anti-watchdog seeks to investigate several high-profile corruption cases including those involving the family of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court has taken notice of delay in the appointment of the prosecutor general, and instructed the government to fullfill all vacant seats. A bench headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmad had on January 8 directed the attorney general to ascertain the government stance regarding delay in the appointment. The court was informed that the prosecutor general would be appointed within a week.
The court resumed hearing on Jan 19 and directed to make the appointment by Monday (Jan 21) and submit a compliance report.
