LAHORE: The opposition has not replied to the letter of President of Pakistan seeking consultation on the appointment of Admiral (retired) Fasih Bokhari as National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman, the federal government told the Lahore High Court (LHC) here Friday. The Chief Justice LHC directed the law officer to file a written statement till Nov 17.

Deputy Attorney General, Nasim Kashmiri, apprised LHC Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry about the matter during the hearing of a petition challenging the appointment of the NAB chairman.

The petitioner, Barrister Javed Iqbal Jaffrey, pleaded that a mandatory procedure was not followed in the NAB chairman appointment. He said the federal government had not consulted opposition, PML-N, and Chief Justice of Pakistan, which was a violation of the constitution. He further claimed that the government action was based on mala fide intentions. Therefore, appointment of Fasih Bokhari should be declared null and void, the petitioner added.