Deadlock continues between govt, opposition over amendments to NAB laws

ISLAMABAD: The deadlock between the government and the opposition over the amendment of accountability laws continues, ruling out the possibility of any legislation being brought forth in the ongoing session of the National Assembly in this regard, reports The News.

According to the sources, there has been no contact between the government and the opposition so far, with neither side having shared any proposals or draft for amending the NAB laws with each other.

Sources added that despite some cabinet ministers making contact with the opposition to discuss proposals, the other side has refused to talk to them, saying the government ministers are powerless in making any decision.

Moreover, sources say the opposition has strong reservations on the attitude of federal ministers in the National Assembly and has communicated to them how working relations could be made in such an atmosphere.

The deadlock between the government and the opposition on NAB has persisted for the past many months. In a recent meeting of parliamentary leaders with Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaisar, opposition leaders had told the government that they only cooperated in the process of non-controversial legislation.

In April, the government said it had prepared a draft amendment to the NAB Ordinance which states that matters related to taxes and duties will not come under the bureau.

According to the amendment, the cases handled by the federal and provincial regulatory bodies will also not fall under the jurisdiction of NAB once the formal approval for changes to the law has been given.

The inquiries and investigations related to taxes and duties that are being pursued by the Bureau will be handed over to the relevant bodies after the amendment has been passed by lawmakers.

Under the changes, the accountability bureau will no longer be probing corruption-related matters that do not involve a sum of at least Rs1 billion. The federal cabinet will also be exempt from NAB inquires.

Trials related to these cases will be transferred from accountability courts to the relevant district courts or other bodies once the amendment has been ratified into existing laws.

The reference to the Anti Money Laundering Act 2010 will also be removed from the official schedule of the NAB Ordinance. The Bureau would also have to change procedures into cases involving public officeholders.