ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khurshid Ahmed Shah has filed in the Supreme Court an application seeking to be a party in a case in which PTI chief Imran Khan alleged that appointment of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry as chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was result of an underhand deal between the PML-N and PPP.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani directed Mr Khan on Thursday to submit on March 27 a reply to the issues raised in the application.
In his petition, Mr Khan had alleged that Qamar Zaman had been appointed as NAB chairman after a consultation between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Khurshid Shah on a date (Oct 10) which was very close to Eid holidays.
The application was filed by Senator Aitzaz Ahsan who pleaded that since the opposition leader was a necessary party for a just and proper decision in the matter, he should be allowed to become a party in the case.
On Thursday, Mr Ahsan argued before the bench that his client had specific objection to the PTI chief’s statement that the appointment process was invalid because it was the result of a ‘Muk-Muka’ (underhand deal) between the two parties.
He offered to withdraw the application if Mr Khan withdrew the allegation.
At this, the court asked Hamid Khan, the counsel for Mr Khan, about his opinion on the matter.
But he explained that this point was the most important aspect of the petition challenging the appointment and, therefore, could not be withdrawn.
In his application, Mr Shah said the appointment process was in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, and the law as laid down by the Supreme Court.
The post of NAB chairman fell vacant on May 28 last year after the Supreme Court set aside the appointment of retired Admiral Fasih Bukhari and ruled that it had been made without lawful authority and in violation of the law.
Consequently, the prime minister held a series of consultations with the opposition leader during which several names, including that of retired bureaucrats and judges, were considered but no agreement could be reached and the deadlock persisted.
In the meantime, the Supreme Court directed the government to make the appointment by Sept 13 last year.
Finally, the two sides agreed on the name of Qamar Zaman and accordingly the president approved the summary for his appointment.
The application explained that Mr Shah had participated in the consultation process as an opposition leader, and not as a nominee of the PPP. He consulted other opposition parties, including the PTI, although there was no constitutional or legal requirement in this regard.