THE government took a comparatively longer period in appointing new Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) but the choice finally made by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly is widely being hailed by people of Pakistan.
The Federal Cabinet, on Thursday, approved the appointment of former Director General of the Intelligence Bureau, Aftab Sultan, as chairperson of the NAB after due process and consultations.
Corruption has become one of the priority concerns for people of Pakistan and there is increasing demand for across-the-board accountability.
It is, however, regrettable that the instances of corruption are increasing despite the fact that we have a dedicated institution to check the menace.
This is mainly because of undue interference in the working of the institution and its use as a stool for victimization of the political opponents.
The institution was brazenly used for settling scores with political rivals during tenures of almost all past governments but it was particularly so during the term of PTI Government.
Baseless references were filed against the leadership of PML(N) and PPP but the allegations could not be proved in the courts of law.
It is all the more unfortunate that the institution had a head who was a former judge but he turned out to be most controversial because of his lopsided approach to the concept of accountability.
At one point of time, he dropped hints to probe into the mega corruption scandals surfacing during tenure of PTI but then kept a mum allegedly in the face of blackmailing.
Like Sikandar Sultan Raja, Aftab Sultan too is famous for his honesty and upright conduct and therefore, one hopes he would be able to restore the dignity of the institution by pursuing a neutral and independent approach to all cases of corruption.
He has impeccable credentials and the opposition should not make his appointment controversial for petty political motives.
