NAB Chairman skips Senate briefing as Law Committee raises questions over accountability

The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice expressed concern after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice expressed concern after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman failed to appear before the committee for a scheduled briefing, with lawmakers saying parliamentary committees must be treated seriously. The committee postponed the NAB briefing and directed the bureau to submit complete documents before the next meeting.

The Senate committee meeting was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Senator Farooq H. Naek, where members discussed NAB’s performance, proposed changes to the Juvenile Justice System and differences in salaries and benefits of federal and provincial law officers.

The committee was scheduled to receive a detailed briefing from the NAB chairman regarding the bureau’s operations and performance across different locations. However, the NAB chairman did not attend the meeting.

NAB Deputy Chairman Sohail Nasir appeared before the committee and requested that the briefing be postponed. He informed lawmakers that NAB wanted more time to prepare a detailed presentation and complete briefing material.

He also apologized to the committee and explained that changes to the agenda left NAB with insufficient time to prepare the required documents. The absence of the NAB chairman raised concerns among committee members. Senator Kamran Murtaza reminded the committee that NAB had previously assured lawmakers that the chairman himself would provide the briefing.

Senator Murtaza said that if the NAB chairman could not attend, the committee should have been informed earlier so that members could visit him instead. He stressed that parliamentary committees represent Parliament and deserve proper attention from government institutions.

Chairman Committee Senator Farooq H. Naek directed NAB to complete its preparation and submit briefing material by the end of July. He said the NAB agenda would be discussed again during the first week of August.

The committee later discussed the Juvenile Justice System (Amendment) Bill presented by Senator Sarmad Ali. Senator Sarmad Ali informed members that the proposed amendments would ensure that no person under 18 years of age could receive the death penalty. The bill also proposes special training for judges handling juvenile justice cases.

He explained that the proposed amendments currently apply only to Islamabad, while similar legislation could later be introduced for other provinces. The Ministry of Law and Justice informed the committee that similar provisions already exist under Islamabad’s juvenile justice laws. Officials said provinces have also introduced their own amendments after the Juvenile Justice System Act was passed in 2018.

Senator Farooq H. Naek explained that criminal procedure laws and punishment laws are separate matters. He said juvenile justice legislation involves both legal procedures and criminal laws.

Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro highlighted constitutional concerns, saying provinces have authority over many subjects while the federal government has limited powers in provincial matters. However, he added that changes to criminal procedure laws can still be considered.

The Minister of State for Law and Justice informed the committee that efforts were underway to maintain uniformity in juvenile justice laws across Pakistan.

During discussions, Senator Farooq H. Naek expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Law and Justice for not providing written comments on the proposed bill before the meeting.

He questioned why the ministry entered into discussions without first submitting its official written position on the legislation.

The committee postponed further discussion on the Juvenile Justice System (Amendment) Bill and directed the Secretary Law to provide clarification on whether the bill falls under criminal law. The committee also sought a comparison of juvenile justice laws across provinces before the next meeting.

The committee also reviewed differences in salaries, allowances and other benefits between federal and provincial law officers.

Senator Kamran Murtaza said the issue should be considered on principles and announced that neither he nor the committee chairman would vote on the matter.

The Secretary Ministry of Law and Justice informed members that there is a clear difference between the benefits available to federal and provincial law officers. He said provincial law officers receive a non-practising allowance, while federal law officers do not receive the same facility.

During the discussion, Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro questioned how government law officers could engage in private legal practice while holding official positions.

He also raised questions about whether senior legal officials, including the Attorney General’s office, should be allowed to continue private practice while serving the government.

Senator Farooq H. Naek said that Attorneys General had practiced law in the past, but this was no longer the situation.

The chairman stated that if federal law officers are restricted from private legal practice, their salaries, benefits and facilities should be improved accordingly.

He directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to prepare comprehensive rules to bring federal and provincial law officers’ benefits closer together and present recommendations in the next meeting.

The meeting was attended by Senators Kamran Murtaza, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Abdul Qadir and senior officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice and other relevant departments.