Bilawal wants 'farcical' NAB abolished as govt defends newly passed ordinance

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday said that the recent promulgation of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance, 2019 was a tacit admission by the government that the corruption watchdog "is a farce" and should be "abolished".

Bilawal, in a tweet today, claimed that the ordinance was “proof that it agrees with President Zardari” that “NAB and the economy cannot run together”.

“Instead of clearly biased efforts, the government should work with opposition,” said the PPP chairperson, advising the government to do its "job and legislate".

The federal cabinet on Friday gave its approval to the NAB Ordinance, 2019, which was also approved by President Arif Alvi on the same day.

Under the ordinance, NAB will no longer be allowed to take action against government employees.

The proposed ordinance also states that the property of government employees cannot be frozen without a court order. Furthermore, if the accountability watchdog cannot complete an investigation against a suspect within three months, the accused will be entitled to bail.

In addition, NAB will now only be able to pursue corruption cases of Rs500 million and more.

Moreover, according to the new ordinance, NAB's jurisdiction over matters relating to tax, stock exchange and IPOs has been curtailed. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and building control authorities will be the sole authorities tasked to act on all such matters.

Government defends ordinance

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information, Firdous Ashiq Awan, defended the NAB Ordinance.

The foreign minister, in a press conference in Multan, repeated that the government was not giving a National Reconciliation Order (NRO) to anyone. He clarified that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will not support any corrupt individuals and the party's stance on the matter was clear. 

"PML-N and PPP demanded the review of NAB laws. Now, that we reviewed [the laws] and presented a new system, we are still being criticised,” said Qureshi.

In a series of tweets, Awan also deplored the PML-N’s decision to criticise the ordinance.

“Politicking on NAB amendment ordinance by PML-N spokespersons — who slam NAB every day — is disappointing,” said Awan.

The special assistant was responding to PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzaib’s criticism of the NAB ordinance.

Aurangzaib had earlier alleged that the ordinance was Prime Minister Imran Khan's attempt to benefit his friends. She had also claimed that the ordinance’s main aim was to “fool” everyone.

SAPM Awan reminded the opposition that the Supreme Court has declared the prime minister Sadiq and Ameen, adding that the PM's record is “unblemished” and that he does not fear accountability.

Awan said that the new ordinance will ensure that honest public office holders will take decisions in public interest without any fear and also fulfill their legal requirements. 

She further added that the ordinance will “improve governance”, make the economy stronger, and the business environment will become easier.

“Action will be taken against those officers who took personal benefit from the procedural mistakes and departmental faults,” said Awan. 

However, she clarified that public office-holders who have assets beyond their means will not be exempted under the new ordinance.

She repeated that PM Imran’s “jihad” against corruption is still in effect with full force.