PML-N rejects Bokhari's nomination

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday rejected nomination of former navel chief Admiral Fasih Bokhari as chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on grounds of 'an incomplete' consultation process.

In a letter sent to President Asif Ali Zardari, leader of the opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan rejected Bokhari's nomination as chairman NAB, owing to his reservations over 'incomplete' consultation process.

"Why the government is hesitant to hold meaningful consultation process," Nisar asked in his two-page letter, wherein he quoted various judgments of Supreme Court.

He questioned the consultation process through presidential letter in which only one name of former navel chief has been proposed to head the accountability bureau. In his letter, the opposition leader contended that the government should have sent at least three names for the slot.

Ch Nisar also referred to Charter of Democracy (CoD), signed by late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif that envisages independent Accountability Commission.

Under the pending 'The Holders of Public Offices (Accountability) Bill' 2009,' the government wanted a retired judge to head the commission, but nomination of a retired navel chief was negation of the spirit of CoD, eh added.

The leader of the opposition, besides referring to many verdicts of the apex court, also pointed out towards the recent judgment of SC in Deedar Hussain Shah case, wherein a three-member bench of the court had annulled the appointment of Deedar as chairman NAB.

Ch Nisar stated that the apex court had clearly mentioned about 'meaningful' consultation. The letter stated that the president violated the apex court's judgments by not holding consultation process in view of the court verdicts.

Referring to the apex court judgments on Bank of Punjab case, Dr Mubashir Hassan case and Asfandyar Wali case, the leader of the opposition further argued that under the court verdicts, it would be better that Chief Justice of Pakistan should also have been consulted in the appointment of chairman NAB.

PML-N sources said the party has no objection over Fasih Bokhari's nomination. However, the party has serious reservations over the procedure of his nomination. They said that the decision was taken following extensive consultations with legal experts of the party.

The party sources further said that decision in this regard was taken in a meeting chaired by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday not to object Bokhari's nomination and object only to the consultation process.