In light of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 revisions that were included in the bill, President Arif Alvi has sent the National Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2023 back to the legislature for review.
According to Article 75(1)(b) of the Constitution, the president returned the measure, the presidency stated in a statement on Sunday.
According to this article, after receiving a bill for assent, the president has 10 days to either sign it or, in the case of a bill other than a money bill, send it back to the legislature with a request that the bill or any specific provision within it be reconsidered and that any amendments mentioned in the president’s message be taken into consideration.
The contentious National Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2023, introduced by the federal government and purported to render the NAB toothless in taking on mega corruption cases, was recently passed by parliament despite harsh criticism from a variety of public and political circles.
Since then, the measure has been contested at the supreme court.
National Accountability Ordinance 1999
“Owing to recent amendments made in the National Accountability Ordinance 1999—called as the NAB Ordinance, through the NA (Amendment) Act 2022, and the NA (Second Amendment) Act 2022, some legal complications have arisen for transfer of those cases from the accountability courts to other courts, tribunals and forums which do not fall within the domain or jurisdiction of the NAB Ordinance,” reads the statement of objects and reasons.
“On initiative of the prosecutor general accountability and after having input of relevant stakeholders, certain further amendments in the NAB Ordinance are required to be made urgently to provide legal cover to the courts for transfer aforesaid cases. The bill seeks to achieve the above objects,” the statement adds.
To read our blog “NITB Bill 2022 has been approved by Dr. Arif Alvi,” click here.