Politicisation of crime
DURING a recent meeting with newspaper editors and TV channels, the NAB chairman said that the bureau was reviewing references forwarded by the prime minister’s adviser on interior affairs against the Sharif brothers.
But, he said, “elections are near and political cases will not be re-opened against anyone, including the Sharif brothers, for the time being.”
He reportedly said: “President Zardari has barred me from re-opening Nawaz Sharif’s cases.” (July 1).
This statement came as a shock to me. The NAB chairman has divided corruption cases into two categories; involving politicians and non-political persons.
According to the logic of the NAB chief, since elections are near, cases against politicians can be delayed. The implication is very obvious; when a politician against whom there is a corruption case, returns to the assembly, NAB would not be in a position to proceed against him.
NAB is a highly-politicised institution. A person who is groomed in legal traditions and trained in criminal justice administration will not make such a wild statement. There is also constitutional provision regarding discrimination.
According to the other part of his statement, NAB does not process cases on merit rather it acts on the directions of the president.
The chairman needs to explain whether NAB law binds him to act on the directions of the president.
There is no doubt that Admiral Fasih Bokhari has been appointed by the president of Pakistan and there are many state
functionaries and judges of superior courts appointed by the president.
The question is: are they supposed to act on the directions of the president? I think, by making this statement, Admiral Fasih, has discredited the office of the NAB chairman.
Admiral Fasih is not qualified to hold the office. He should quit it as he is an honourable person.
I had congratulated him on his appointment as NAB chief, but the admiral has disappointed me by making this statement that is politically damaging for the president as well.
ASGHAR MAHMOOD
Islamabad
I don't know who will be the most suitable person for this job or any other respected job in Pakistan. It seems like the military people are unsuitable for their reasons. What about the politicians? Which politician could be trusted except Imran Khan? I am sure Imran Khan will never take this job either. Unfortunately, we are left with what we just saw i.e. the recent list of potential most corrupt candidates for the post of prime minister. The real good people have already vanished from Pakistan. So we will have to only deal with whatever is left.
The post of chairman NAB requires not only personal integrity but also the courage to stand up for principles against authority. Military men are inherently unsuited to this role by virtue of their trained discipline in unquestioningly obeying orders.
The post of chairman NAB requires not only personal integrity but also the courage to stand up for principles against authority. Military men are inherently unsuited to this role by virtue of their trained discipline in unquestioningly obeying orders.
Soldiers are trained to be suspicious of enemy threat and to respond with lethal force. A position that requires thoughtful presumption of innocence and weighing likelihood of successful prosecution should be filled by people with appropriate training and experience.