ISLAMABAD: A former chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), retired Admiral Fasih Bokhari withdrew on Tuesday the review petition he had filed in the Supreme Court challenging his removal from the office by the court.
After withdrawal of the petition, the court disposed of the case and it is expected that the process of the appointment of NAB chairman will be expedited.
During the hearing, Sardar Latif Khosa, counsel for Admiral Bokhari, requested the court to return the petition. The petition was withdrawn after President Asif Ali Zardari formally cancelled Admiral Bokhari’s appointment as NAB chairman on July 16, on the advice of the prime minister.
A summary of the Ministry of Law and Justice had suggested to the court that Admiral Bokhari’s appointment was without lawful authority.
Meanwhile, the government has started the process of appointing the new chairman and suggested two names for the slot. Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has also proposed two names.
The PML-N government has proposed the names of retired Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery and former federal secretary Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed and the main opposition PPP has suggested the names of retired Justice Rana Bhagwandas and retired Justice Sardar Raza.
Under the NAB ordinance, the NAB chairman is appointed by the president after prime minister and leader of opposition in National Assembly reach a consensus on a nomination.
The court has already ordered for ‘meaningful’ consultation between the government and the opposition over the appointment.