Accountability laws

A few days ago, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued its verdict on the bail application of PML-N leader Khawaja Asif. Later, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) announced its judgment in the Narowal Sports City Complex case against another PML-N leader, Ahsan Iqbal. The two courts have said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is guilty of violating its powers. In the past too, we have had several court decisions that condemned NAB actions.

There is a dire need to reform NAB. The institution shouldn’t be allowed to arrest politicians without solid evidence or put them in jails for an indefinite period. Such tactics carry no gain for the country and its people. The ruling party, in consultation with the opposition, needs to work on the much-needed amendments in the NAB law.

Engr Asim Nawab

Islamabad

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This refers to the editorial ‘Accountability questions’ (July 9). It touched an important subject of NAB’s attitude towards corruption cases. No one is against accountability, but the way NAB is handling high-profile cases has come under sharp criticism by all segments of society. Keeping any person in detention on alleged corruption charges is the violation of people’s fundamental rights. This is why these people are granted bail when they bring their pleas to court.

The current working of NAB lacks transparency and gives the impression of one-sided accountability. The only solution left is to have a time frame for such cases. The higher authorities must instruct the relevant department that no high-profile corruption case should exceed 90 days – and other remaining cases should be decided within 120 days. The government should act fast to make changes in the NAB law, otherwise it is likely to face the worst situation when it is out of power.

Mukhtar Ahmed

Karachi