Supreme Court of Pakistan building. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Federal Government on Saturday submitted an application in Supreme Court to review its verdict of declaring appointment of Deedar Hussain Shah as National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman illegitimate, DawnNews reported.

The application was submitted by the Government’s lawyer Abdul Hafeez Peerzada, who said that the apex court did not comment on Justice Shah’s first appointment.

On March 10, the apex court had ruled the appointment illegal and had ordered Justice (retd) Shah to immediately relinquish the office.

The verdict by a three-judge bench required Shah, a former judge of the Supreme Court, to immediately leave the office he assumed five months ago after another legal row in which the court had ordered the removal of his predecessor.

Justice (retd) Deedar Shah was appointed NAB chief on Oct 8 last year after his predecessor Nawid Ahsan was removed under a Dec 16, 2009, Supreme Court ruling that held the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) as unconstitutional, ordered the government to revive all cases withdrawn under the ordinance and expressed displeasure over the perceived lack of proper and honest assistance and suggested the appointment of a new chairman.