ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Ahmed Shah of the PPP has decided to drop the name of retired Justice Bhagwandas as of opposition’s nominee for the post of National Accountability Bureau chairman.

The name of Mr Bhagwandas, former chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission, has been withdrawn after it was realised that the head of the commission cannot hold any other government office after retirement.

“If Mr Bhagwandas is ineligible for the post I will propose another name,” Mr Shah told Dawn on Thursday.

However, another PPP leader said the party was yet to decide whether to propose another name or stick to its second nominee – retired Justice Sardar Raza.

The PML-N government has proposed the names of retired Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery and former federal secretary Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed for the post.

When it was pointed out that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was reported to have invited the leader of the opposition for consultation, Khurseed Shah said he had received no such invitation. “I am waiting for Mr Sharif’s call so that the process of meaningful consultation can be started.”

Earlier, the PPP had suggested the name of retired judge Mamoon Qazi for the post of NAB chairman but he declined the offer for health reasons.

Mr Shah said the government and the opposition had exchanged two names each for the post but the process of dialogue had not started.

According to the NAB Ordinance, the chairman has to be appointed in consultation with the leader of the opposition. The president appoints the chairman after the prime minister and the leader of the opposition agree on a name.

It has been learnt that the government is waiting for a decision by the Supreme Court on a review petition filed by former NAB chairman retired Admiral Fasih Bokhari whose removal was ordered the court on May 28.

The court issued the order on a petition moved by then leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who contended that no ‘meaningful’ consultation had taken place between him and the PPP government on the appointment.

The Supreme Court has already ordered ‘meaningful’ consultations between the government and the opposition.

On July 2, Prime Minister Sharif had sought opinion of the leader of the opposition in order to find a suitable person to head the country’s top accountability office.

It is believed that the government will keep its focus on the name of Khawaja Zaheer and the opposition on Justice Sardar Raza.

Earlier, the apex court had declared the appointment of retired Justice Deedar Hussain Shah as NAB chairman illegal on March 10, 2011, on a petition also filed by Chaudhry Nisar.