The government’s effort to choose new head of the National Accountability Bureau has been accelerated in the event of fast approaching expiry date of the term of incumbent chief Justice ® Javed Iqbal i.e. June 2, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday. 

Sources informed that Justice ® Maqbool Baqir is leading the race to head the anti-graft watchdog. 

Besides him, other names including Fawad Hassan Fawad and former FIA DG Bashir Memo were also floated. But objections were raised on both these names. However, other names could also be brought under consideration for the post.

There will be a consultation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Raja Riaz and if the opposition leader had no objection on Mr Baqir’s name, then the latter would be appointed as NAB chief.

Yesterday, the opposition leader hinted that the government would appoint new head of the National Accountability Bureau before June 2.

Sources revealed that consultations regarding appointment of new NAB chief were started on Friday between the opposition leader and Prime Minister Shehbaz. 

Sources said the government was advised to select some retired bureaucrat as NAB chief instead of some retired judge. 

Both the prime minister and the opposition leader agreed to seek approval from their respective parties on the suggested names. 

Opposition leader Raja Riaz predicted that the new NAB Czar would be appointed before June 2. However, no name has been finalized yet, he added. 

Current NAB Chief Justice (r) Javed Iqbal who got retired last year and was reappointed through presidential ordinance has been known to vigorously pursuing cases against the previous government’s political opponents. He became chairman of the bureau in Oct 2017. 

The NAB law states: “There shall be a Chairman NAB to be appointed by the president in consultation with the [Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly] for a [non-extendable] period of [four] years on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the president and shall not be removed except on the grounds of removal of judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.”

Reporter Awais Kiyani