The federal Government and Sindh's provincial Government are at loggerheads vis-à-vis the contents of Sindh Ehtesab (accountability) bill (2017). Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair Umer has again declined to sign the Sindh Ehtesab bill (2017) which was passed by Sindh Assembly.
The new resolution of Sindh Ehtesab bill (2017) will be introduced in the Sindh assembly once again owing to its rejection by the Governor who did not ratify the bill as it revoked the status of NAB ordinance (1999). The Sindh Assembly passed National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, Repeal Bill, 2017, repealing the NAB Ordinance (1999) across the Sindh province and giving all powers to the provincial anti-corruption department amid ruckus and walkout staged by the opposition lawmakers.
The provincial government had termed the NAB ordinance as a draconian law and said it was aimed at victimising political opponents. The previous Sindh Ehtesab bill (2017) was tabled by Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjhar, which the PPPP lawmakers considered a way for fair trial and no victimisation. Under the new law, the NAB ordinance (1999) stood repealed across the province and all proceedings, inquiries and investigations pending under it would be transferred to the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment. It further said that all legal proceedings under accountability courts would stand transferred to anti-corruption courts.