ISLAMABAD: In an effort to enhance accountability proceedings following the Supreme Court’s decision to revive corruption cases, the Establishment Division has issued a notification regarding the assignment of four military officers to different departments of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
According to the notification, the infantry’s Brigadier Muhammad Khalid has been appointed as Director at the National Accountability Bureau (in BS-20), Lt Col Nadeem Muzaffar as Additional Director (in BS-19), Major Waleed Khalid from Military Intelligence as Deputy Director (in BS-18), and Major Qais Kamran Syed from Military Intelligence as Deputy Director (in BS-18).
These military officers will serve on a secondment basis, adhering to standard terms and conditions outlined in JSI-4/85, with immediate effect. The notification also received received approval from Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar.
It is important to note that, after obtaining approval from the NAB Chairman, Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed, the institution sent to the Establishment Division requesting the deputation of officers from various military departments.
Sources indicated that, in addition to intelligence agencies, NAB has also requested the services of officials from the State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and other departments to provide technical support for investigating white-collar corruption.
Strong accountability process
These sources added that the intelligence officers and officials on deputation will perform their duties according to their own pay scales and salaries. This move aims to establish a robust and effective intelligence system within NAB to expedite the accountability process.
On September 15, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, with a majority 2-1 verdict, approved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s tenure.
Then-Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, leading the bench, ordered the reopening of all corruption cases against political leaders and public officeholders and declared the amendments null and void.
This verdict resulted in the reinstatement of corruption cases against several prominent political figures, including former prime ministers and a former president.
