New NAB law to be made with Bureau’s consultation: SAPM

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Wednesday said that the NAB law promulgated in 1999 has been revived and the draft for amendments to the ordinance being aired on television channels and social media was not that of the government.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said that the amendment draft shared on social media was against the PTI’s manifesto. Those who have committed mistakes in past should be made accountable for their crimes, he said while adding that the powers of the accountability watchdog were not curtailed under the new NAB ordinance. The NAB ordinance only does not apply to the businessmen, Shahzad Akbar said adding that they want to bring more clarity in the NAB law through fresh amendments.

The special assistant said that they were in consultation with NAB, coalition and opposition parties over bringing changes in the NAB law. “NAB is an independent institution and is working freely than ever under the incumbent government,” he said adding that if a law was against the constitution, it could be challenged in the court of law.

The PM’s aide on accountability said that they had not received any reports recently regarding Nawaz Sharif and the NAB approaching the Lahore High Court (LHC) over that case. Nawaz Sharif is violating the promises he made with the courts, he said.

Speaking over delay in forensic report pertaining to wheat and sugar crises, Akbar said that those who are considering that a go slow policy is being adopted on the issue would get the reply within three weeks. About Independent Power Producers, he said they have earned more than the defined profits. A commission will be formed to probe into the case under the fresh terms of references, he said.