IHC dismisses plea seeking CJP’s role in appointment of NAB chief

ISLAMABAD, June 07 (SABAH): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday rejected a petition seeking the chief justice of Pakistan’s role in the appointment of the chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

On June 4, a citizen, Muhammad Fahad, moved the IHC against the appointment of the NAB chairman without the consultation of the CJP.

In his petition, he said that after the SC’s ruling, it is mandatory to consult the CJP before the appointment of the NAB chairman and the president is bound to take approval from the top judge before the appointment.

In addition to this, the plea sought the court’s orders to bar the government from making the appointment without taking prior approval from the chief justice.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah Minallah took up the plea on Tuesday. After hearing arguments on the application, Justice Minallah declared the plea inadmissible.

“This court cannot dictate the parliament,” remarked Justice Minallah. He maintained that the appointment of the NAB chairman is the prerogative of the parliament.

Responding to the SC verdict’s reference mentioned in the petition, the judge said it was an “observation” of the SC. The judge said that the apex court gave numerous verdicts after the observation.