NAB’s fear curtailed role of bureaucracy in development projects: PM

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday revealed the main purpose of bringing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Ordinance 2019 was to insulate bureaucracy from bureau’s fear. Addressing the bureaucrats, the prime minister said that the NAB’s fear curtailed the role of bureaucracy in development projects. “Main purpose of NAB ordinance was to insulate bureaucracy from NAB’s fear,” he added. PM Khan also mentioned that the decision process has been stopped due to the limited role of bureaucracy. “There is need of full assistance from bureaucracy to build 5 million houses,” he added. Imran Khan said that the decisions in democracy are made with mutual consultation therefore; the change in NAB’s rules will be presented in the Parliament. The premier termed 2019 year as difficult and it was fear to devaluation of rupees due to non availability of foreign exchange. He said the economy of the country can only be strengthened with the industrial growth. The prime minister has stressed on improving governance for economic stabilization in the country. He also said that the government has stabilized the country's economy and now efforts are being made to accelerate economic growth. He hoped that the 2020 will be the year of growth and development and the development is not possible without wealth creation. He said over 40 industries are related with housing sector and promotion of this sector will helpful in creating job opportunities. The Ministry of Law has issued a notification on Saturday after the approval of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Ordinance 2019. Earlier, 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.