Govt, opposition harmonize on NAB & other matters’ legislation

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The government and the opposition make consensus on the legislations of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other matters on Thursday. According to the sources, the dialogue between both parties was held at the Speaker’s chamber. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Sawati, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) MNA Rana Sanaullah, PML-N stalwart Rana Tanveer, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Senior leader of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Syed Naveed Qamar and PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf were present in the meeting. The negotiation for making consensus on the continuation of legislation process between the government and opposition parties became successful as an agreement was made to pass presidential ordinances in the Parliament. It was also reported that the government has agreed to withdraw more than a dozen bills and ordinances along with the completion of the legislative process in just a single day. The government has also agreed to include opposition‘s proposals in the NAB ordinance. In this regard, the PPP will also be consulted on the bill which was introduced in the Senate along with the proposal that was drafted in the PML-N’s era. PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah expressed that unanimous points will be added to the new law by keeping the proposed agendas of the government and the opposition about the anti-graft watchdog. According to the formula set by the government and the opposition, three out of nine ordinances would be approved, while four out of the six bills will be passed unanimously. The two bills will be presented to the National Assembly after approval by the Standing Committee. On Dec 28, the Ministry of Law has issued a notification on Saturday after the approval of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Ordinance 2019. The NAB Amendment Ordinance 2019 has been challenged at Karachi Registry of the Supreme Court. A citizen Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi has filed a petition at Karachi Registry of the SC challenging the NAB Amendment Ordinance, 2019, promulgated by the PTI-led government through a presidential ordinance on Friday. The petitioner has made the federal government, the Ministry of Law secretary, the Cabinet Division secretaries, Ministry of Interior, Establishment Division, the NAB chairman, the NAB Director General Headquarters and others as party in the case. The petitioner said, “All citizens are equal in the constitution of Pakistan, the amended ordinance is violation of the constitution and the fundamental rights of citizens.” The application pleaded with the apex court to immediately order suspending the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, while claiming that the amendment was against Article 25 of the Constitution, and an attempt to protect the corruption of ministers and government officials.