Govt tried to clip NAB's wings, says Siraj
"The accountability system in the country has turned into a joke in the past 15 months," he said
December 29, 2019
LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj ul Haq on Sunday accused the government of "attempting to clip NAB's wings" with its recent amendment ordinance.
The federal cabinet and president gave their assent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Ordinance 2019 on Friday. As per the ordinance, the anti-graft body cannot take action against government employees. The ordinance curtailed NAB's jurisdiction over matters relating to tax, stock exchange and IPOs.
"The accountability system in the country has turned into a joke in the past 15 months," said Siraj during a press conference. "The government has attempted to clip NAB's wings through this ordinance."
He said democracy in the country was weak. The JI chief said without a strong and vibrant democracy, the country won't be able to function properly.
Siraj called on the government to restructure the anti-graft body to ensure proper working of the institution.
Ever since the government approved the ordinance, opposition parties have lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet. Opposiition leaders have accused the prime minister of saving his cronies from the anti-corruption watchdog.
Furious opposition criticises government over NAB ordinance
Senior leader of the JUI-F, AKram Durrani, had also accused the prime minister and his cabinet of saving themselves from NAB.
“The prime minister has given good news to his friends thorough the ordinance that they won’t be troubled anymore by NAB,” he said.
“NAB chairman should also inform us whether there is a stay order on Malam Jabba and the Billion Tree Tsunami?” he questioned.
Durrani demanded action be taken against any malpractices in the above mentioned projects.
“There is neither gas nor electricity in this government’s tenure,” he said.
Minister for Information and Labour Sindh Saeed Ghani agreed with Durrani that the ordinance has benefited PM Imran's aides.
“Laws that affect the common man should have been amended, unfortunately, that did not happen,” he said.
