Pakistan’s Establishment Division has officially designated four military officers to various roles within the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Per the notification:
- Brigadier Muhammad Khalid of infantry is now the Director of the National Accountability Bureau (BS-20).
- Lt Col Nadeem Muzaffar takes the position of Additional Director (BS-19).
- Major Waleed Khalid from Military Intelligence and Major Qais Kamran Syed, also from Military Intelligence, have been named Deputy Directors (BS-18).
All officers are appointed on a secondment basis, per standard terms, effective immediately after Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar’s endorsement.
Request for Deputation from Military
These military officers are posted in response to a letter penned to the Establishment Division. Authored upon approval by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed, the letter specifically requested the contingent of officers from military departments.
In addition to collaborating with intelligence agencies, the NAB reportedly partners with the State Bank of Pakistan, FBR, FIA, and other departments. The goal is to harness technical support in uncovering white-collar corruption. Insiders have highlighted that officials appointed on deputation will operate at their current pay scale. A key objective is bolstering a robust intelligence system within NAB to expedite accountability.
Verdict Impacts Political Landscape
Notably, on September 15, an apex court bench, in a 2-1 majority verdict, upheld a petition from PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The petition contested amendments to Pakistan’s accountability laws made under the former Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) )-led government.
Presided over by then-chief justice Umar Ata Bandial, the bench ruled to reopen graft cases against several prominent political figures. This includes several ex-prime ministers and a past president, nullifying the previous amendments.
