Thaindian News

Islamabad, Mar 15(ANI): The Pakistan Government may be willing to reappoint Justice (retired) Deedar Hussain Shah as National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman, but the retired judge says that he is not interested.

Shah is at the heart of a raging controversy between the federal government and the judiciary, with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) protesting against the Supreme Court verdict annulling his appointment as NAB Chairman.

“I have no urge to become the NAB chief again. I will not ask the court for a review,” The Express Tribune quoted Shah, as saying.

“I (have) obeyed the court’s order and left my office (out of) utmost respect for the judiciary,” he added.

On whether he would urge the court to review its decision, Shah said: “This is the law ministry’s job, but I will not go for it (review) in my personal capacity.”

Although the government is contemplatingreappointing Shah as NAB chief, his close associates said he would not accept the offer.

“Being a retired judge of the apex court, he cannot afford such a humiliation,” they said, adding, “We were shocked when the Supreme Court asked (Justice) Deedar to relinquish the office with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, sources in the law ministry said that the government would call for a review after the issuance of the detailed judgment in this regard.

“It is feared that the detailed verdict of the case will bar Justice Deedar from retaining the office again,” a senior official said.

“If there is any bar on Deedar, the law ministry will suggest two names for appointment as new NAB chief,” the official explained.

Later, a summary will be sent to Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who will consult the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, as well as the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, on the matter.

After taking them into confidence, he will move the summary to President Asif Ali Zardari for approval. (ANI)