ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering the name of former Supreme Court Justice Maqbool Baqar for the position of the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) chairman.
A senior government functionary told a leading news channel on Saturday that the retired apex court judge was being considered along with another retired Justice (retd) Dost Muhammad Khan.
Justice Baqar, who retired from his post on April 4, is considered to be an independent judge.
While Baqar’s nomination enjoys unanimous support from the superior bars, senior lawyers fear that powerful circles and a section within the judiciary may resist his appointment. It is also believed that the former ruling party, the PTI, will object to the appointment.
However, a lawyer who is part of PTI said Justice Baqar has a “very good reputation and is the best candidate for the post”.
Previously, Justice Baqar was amongst those judges who gave a judgment in favour of Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s case regarding undocumented assets.
Justice Baqar was also responsible for granting bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PMLN) leader Saad Rafiq. The case against the leader had raised serious questions about the anti-graft body’s conduct.
“Accountability laws have been successfully used to change political loyalties,” remarked Justice Baqar in his judgment while granting the leader bail.