PM rules out retreat on new NAB law.

Byline: Syed Irfan Raza

ISLAMABAB -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday vowed not to retreat or succumb to any pressure over the issue of the newly promulgated National Accountability (second amendment) Ordinance 2019 and said that the amendments - which benefit legislators, bureaucrats and the business community - were made keeping in view the opposition's longstanding demand.

The prime minister said that following the promulgation of the ordinance, the stock market went up rapidly. He said his government had decided to give full benefit of the ordinance to the business community.

The prime minister stated this while presiding over a meeting of the media strategic committee comprising Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, Minister for Education Shafqat MehAmood, Senator Faisal Javed, National Security Adviser Moeed Yousuf and PM's legal aide Dr Babar Awan.

In a private TV show, Shafqat Mehmood said the government needed the oppAosition's support to get the ordinance passed by the two houses of parliament, especially the Senate where the opposition is in a majority.

Minister says government needs opposition's support to get the ordinance passed by parliament

According to a source privy to the meeting, the prime minister said he wouAld not surrender or retreat on the issue of the new ordinance and defend it at any forum. He stressed the need for a consensus between the treasury and opposition benches on the matter.

The prime minister was of the view that the government had made history by amending the controversial NAB law through presidential ordinance whiAch was promulgated by PresiAdent Dr Arif Alvi on Dec 26.

It has been observed that due to fear of NAB, bureaucrats have stopped signing official files and refused to take new initiatives that brought the government machinery to a standstill. According to the source, the prime minister had in several meetings lamented the controversial NAB law as well as the bureau's officials for creating undue harassment. Similarly, the business community had also complained to the prime minister and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa about the NAB's 'threatening' attitude.

On the other hand, a NAB source said the anti-graft watchdog might...