KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government after it granted an extension to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief through a presidential ordinance.
The reaction comes a day after President Arif Alvi promulgated the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, under which NAB Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal will continue to serve the post until a new chairman is appointed.
Bilawal Bhutto said that the extension of Javed Iqbal’s term is “not only illegal but has malicious intent.”
The PPP leader wrote on Twitter: “The selected government wants to continue victimisation of opposition while ensuring the PM, his family, government and cronies continue to be immune from accountability. Especially post #PandoraPapers.”
Bilawal had earlier said that PPP would “forcefully oppose” the “illegal extension” in the tenure of the NAB chief.
The PML-N has also decided to give the government a tough time over the NAB ordinance that can allow the chairman to enjoy another four-year term.
However, the party still stands divided over how it will challenge the government.
Speaking to a private news channel, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said the party has decided to protest against the NAB ordinance but it is divided on how to challenge it.
The former Punjab law minister has said the party will also try to ensure the opposition remains on the same page over the ordinance. “We will try that the opposition stands united for this protest,” he added.
