Islamabad, 5 July, 2023 (GNP): The Federal government of Pakistan on Monday brought in more amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law by an ordinance, authorizing the anti-corruption watchdog to arrest the accused for 30 days.
Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani signed the NAB (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 at midnight soon after the cabinet’s approval.
As per the presidential ordinance, if the pardoned witness tries to keep any secret, his pardon will be revoked immediately.
The signed ordinance increased the period of physical remand from 15 days to 30 days. The ordinance was signed on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
However, the signed notification by the acting president stated, “The prime minister’s advice at para 6 of the summary is approved. The National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, is signed and promulgated.”
Moreover, the chairman of NAB has the authority to issue arrest warrants for the accused for non-cooperation at the time of investigation, according to the ordinance.
The National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, which takes the place of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999 provides supreme authority to the chairman of NAB.
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The newly amended ordinance has called it an offense to take or give gifts in exchange for assisting someone.
Furthermore, the NAB chairman has also been given the authority to make any person a case witness, afterward the sworn witness will record his statement in front of the magistrate.
