Govt extends NAB Chairman Nazir Ahmed’s tenure by three years

The federal government on Friday granted a three-year extension to the tenure of the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lieutenant General (retired) Nazir Ahmed.

According to 24NewsHD TV, the Ministry of Law and Justice Pakistan issued a formal notification announcing the extension in the chairman’s tenure.

Officials said the extension will take effect immediately from today, and the NAB chairman will continue to serve under the same terms and conditions that currently govern the position.

The development follows legislative changes approved by parliament a day earlier. Both the Senate of Pakistan and the National Assembly of Pakistan passed amendments to the accountability law, paving the way for the extension.

Previously, the law stipulated that the NAB chairman would serve a single three-year term that could not be extended.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund had earlier expressed reservations regarding the non-extendable three-year tenure for the NAB chairman.

According to officials, the IMF considered the fixed and non-renewable term potentially problematic for the institutional independence and continuity of the accountability watchdog.

The legislative change came through the passage of the National Accountability (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was moved in parliament by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir.

The amendment also introduces a significant change in the appellate framework of accountability cases. Under the new provision, decisions of high courts in NAB-related matters may now be challenged through a second appeal before the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan within 30 days, potentially expanding the legal review process in accountability proceedings.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar told the House the government had no objection to the proposed amendments, describing them as constructive improvements to the existing law.

Speaking during the debate, Tarar said the bill addressed certain procedural ambiguities in the accountability law, particularly regarding the power of courts to grant bail and the handling of proceedings.

The bill also proposes allowing the chairman of the NAB to serve a three-year term that may be extended once for an additional three years, replacing the current provision that bars reappointment or extension.

Another change seeks to adjust the financial threshold used in NAB cases annually according to the inflation index published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, ensuring that monetary limits remain realistic over time.

In addition, the bill clarifies that procedural provisions governing trials under the accountability law would also apply to appellate proceedings, a move aimed at removing interpretational ambiguity in the ordinance.

Leader of the House Senator Ishaq Dar supported the bill and said the Constitution allows the Federal Constitutional Court to hear appeals from High Court decisions if parliament provides such a forum through legislation.

“The Constitution clearly states that the Federal Constitutional Court shall have jurisdiction to hear appeals from judgments and orders of a High Court where an Act of Parliament so provides,” Dar said, citing the relevant constitutional provision.

“If anyone believes further changes are needed, another amendment bill can always be introduced. Legislation is an evolving process,” he said.

Law Minister Tarar told the House that under the existing NAB law only one appeal as of right is available before the concerned High Court, and the proposed amendment would expand legal recourse available to litigants.

He added that providing an additional appellate forum could help address longstanding criticism that the accountability law is overly stringent and lacks adequate safeguards for fundamental rights.

Following its passage in the Senate, the bill will now be sent to the National Assembly for consideration.

Reporter: Awais Kiani