Law Minister Farooq H Naek on Thursday said certain international accountability best practices could be incorporated into NAB Ordinance 1999 for bringing transparency in accountability process. This he said while speaking at the first meeting of the Cabinet Committee, which was formed by the Prime Minister to look into National Accountability Ordinance 1999 and frame a new law in accordance with the spirit of Charter of Democracy.
Law minister remarks could create confusion in the political circles as they have been demanding abolition of the NAB. The Senate has also passed a unanimous resolution calling for closing down of the bureau. Naek briefed the participants regarding role and current state of affairs of the NAB. He also presented a detailed overview of accountability process and law including laws to prevent corruption in various countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, China, Argentina, India, New Zealand, and United Kingdom.
He said the PPP-led coalition government wanted to send a clear message both domestically and internationally that it stood for transparency and fair practices. He said the new law would be drafted as such that it would meet the needs of justice. In the past, the Ehtesab Act of 1997 as well as NAB Ordinance of 1999 were used to victimise political opponents and to change their political loyalties through harassment.
The minister informed that since the formation of PPP government on 31st March 2008, NAB has not been used to victimise any politician and the election of Asif Ali Zardari as President of Pakistan substantiates this fact. He assured that in future no law would be used to hound and victimise political opponents.
He said laws would be framed in such a manner that investigations would be conducted under the supervision of retired judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the cases would be trailed by the ordinary courts under the supervision of High Court of the respective province without any fear or favor.
The law minister desired that the Code of Criminal Procedure, including provision of bail as prescribed under Section 4(97) CRPC, should be applicable to all persons under the new law. The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman, Minister for Defense Ahmad Mukhtar, Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, Minster for Housing Rehmat Kakar and Advisor to Prime Minister on Industries and Production Manzoor Wattoo.