THE Government and the opposition are again at loggerheads — this time on the issue of latest amendments to the accountability law that the opposition prefers to call NRO Plus. As the move has been challenged both at Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed not to retreat or succumb to any pressure over the newly promulgated National Accountability (second amendment) Ordinance 2019 saying that the amendments — which benefit legislators, bureaucrats and the business community — were made keeping in view the opposition’s longstanding demand.
There was definitely need to reform and improve the accountability law in view of widespread complaints of misuse of the process and its implications for working of the bureaucracy as well as economic development of the country. The issue remained under discussion during tenures of PPP and PML(N) also but no worthwhile initiative for the purpose was taken due to lack of consensus as parties saw the law and the need for reform through prism of their party and individual interests. In this backdrop, the initiative of the Government to amend the law was a step in the right direction but it has been taken in a wrong manner i.e. without consulting or taking the opposition on board. The amendment definitely contains some good elements, which should be preserved but the Government should not make it an issue of prestige and demonstrate flexibility for further improvements, if needed. The best course would be to bring the ordinance immediately before the parliament for discussion, incorporation of more amendments and deletion, if required and approval. Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, who was one of the participants of the media strategic committee meeting, chaired by the PM, and which considered the issue, has sought the opposition’s support to get the ordinance passed by the two houses of parliament, especially the Senate where the opposition is in a majority. However, the cooperation of the opposition would not be unconditional in the prevailing circumstances as it believes the amendments are aimed at benefiting the ruling party and its coalition partners and would not provide relief to the opposition. There should be thorough debate on different aspects of the amended law and the final version should ensure that businessmen, bureaucrats and elected represented get protection from undue harassment from NAB without jeopardizing the cherished goal of moving towards a corruption-free society. It is better to evolve consensus, otherwise none of the two would get anything if the parliament fails to approve the ordinance and allows them to lapse.
