ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has made a secret contact with the Pakistan Peoples Party on the instruction of the Pakistan Democratic Movement over the appointment of the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The joint opposition alliance seeking to oust the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government asked the PML-N to propose to PPP its candidates for the posts, reports citing people familiar with the development said.
Following the request, PML-N MP Rana Tanveer Hussain, who also heads the public accounts committee of the National Assembly, called on the PPP MPs Syed Naveed Qamar and Shazia Marri.
The PPP that quit all PDM offices in April following an internal rift has assured the alliance of its support.
Reportedly, the alliance is against extending the tenure of incumbent NAB chief, retired Justice Javed Iqbal, who has since his appointment to the post in 2017 opened a plethora of graft cases — most of them against members of the opposition parties.
The sources suggest the PDM has announced to oppose the government’s move to extend Iqbal’s tenure.
The PPP has also assured to support the PDM on the appointment of two members of the election commission which has locked horns with the government over the proposal of the introduction of electronic voting.
The PPP would cooperate with the PDM inside the parliament on an issue-to-issue basis.
Iqbal is due to retire in a fortnight. The government is considering extending his tenure — a move that the NAB laws don’t allow.
NAB chairman is appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly. However, since Shehbaz Sharif is accused in corruption references filed against him by NAB, Prime Minister Imran Khan is not willing to consult him.
Earlier this week, PML-N vice president, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said that his party would approach the court if the government decides to give an extension to Iqbal.
“This is not acceptable and we would definitely move the court if any such move is made,” Abbasi said.
