PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif has likened the amended National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance to a “no-confidence motion against the Parliament”, terming  it an “attack on the judiciary”.

In a statement issued Friday, Shahbaz pledged to give the government a tough time  over the ordinance which bestows the current NAB chairman another  four-year term.

Shahbaz termed the amendments to the NAB law through the ordinance “unconstitutional and undemocratic”.

“With the 18 major amendments in the already controversial NAB law, the government is trying to escape accountability,” he said.

The Opposition leader said this “black ordinance” is a step towards establishing “personal rule” through the “strangulation of democracy” in the country.

He said that the Opposition would not allow the government to “snatch away” the powers outlined for institutions in the Constitution and would stop all such government measures in consultation with stakeholders.

President Alvi promulgates NAB (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021

President Arif Alvi on Wednesday promulgated the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, under which NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal will continue to serve the post until a new chairman is appointed and will also be eligible to be renamed as chairman.

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah has announced the party has decided to protest against the NAB ordinance but it is divided on how to challenge it.

The former Punjab law minister 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 said.

‘Not only illegal but has malicious intent’

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had also slammed the PTI government after it granted an extension to the NAB chief through a presidential ordinance.

Bilawal Bhutto had said that the extension of Javed Iqbal’s term is “not only illegal but has malicious intent.”

“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,” the PPP leader wrote on Twitter.