Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The deputy chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Zahir Shah, has been appointed as the acting chairman of the anti-corruption body.
According to a notification from NAB released on Friday, Zahir Shah will continue as chief of the anti-corruption body until the next chairman is appointed.
“In pursuance of the provision to Section 6(b)(v) of amended NAO 1999, Zahir Shah shall act as Chairman NAB, with effect from 22-02-2023 and till the appointment of the next chairman, under the ordinance,” the notification said issued by Additional Director NAB Syed Izhar Shah.
Zahir, who has been acting as NAB deputy chairman, has been looking after the anti-corruption agency since Aftab Sultan resigned from his office as the bureau’s chairman.
New Chairman NAB
The newly-appointed acting chairman has worked with the body for over a decade. He has already held several positions in the organization, including the coveted Director General NAB Rawalpindi post.
In October 2021, Zahir was appointed deputy chairman of the NAB, a position in which he oversaw the organization’s administration.
Since the post of NAB chairman is constitutional, the prime minister appoints the office after consulting the opposition leader in the National Assembly.
However, in the absence of the chairman, the deputy chairman serves as the acting chairman, though he does not have the powers of a constitutionally appointed chairman. Only the chairman can approve the filing of any reference in the courts.
