NA body approves 14-year term for corrupt

ISLAMABAD - The National Assemblys Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Wednesday could not evolve consensus on the modalities related to appointment mechanism and qualification of the chairman of proposed national accountability commission.
The Committee members, however, approved all the recommendations of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) regarding the quantum of punishment, if anyone found involved in corruption and financial irregularities.
Under the approved punishments the person found guilty of corruption and financial embezzlement will have to undergo 14 years rigorous imprisonment if he fails to return looted money. If he returns the looted money then he will have to serve seven years term. In both the cases after serving the terms, the convicts will be barred from taking part in the elections for five years.
It will be made binding on the commission to take permission before entering into plea bargain with any accused.
The Committee met here on Wednesday at the Parliament House under chairmanship of Begum Naseem Akhtar Chaudhry, in which she expressed annoyance over absence of the State Minister and Secretary Law and Justice. The Committee members demanded of the Chair to talk to the Prime Minister in this respect, but in the meantime State Minister for Law and Justice, Mehreen Anwar arrived at the meeting.
Differences emerged between the Committee members over appointment of the chairman of proposed national accountability commission.
PML(N) adopted a stance that the chairman of the proposed commission should be a sitting judge while Chairperson of the Committee was of the view that a retired judge should be appointed as the chairman.
Syed Zafar Ali Shah, who is a senior member of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), also showed differences along with some other Committee members with regard to appointment of a retired judge as chairman of the proposed commission. After growing differences, the Chairperson deferred the decision for further deliberation.
The Committee in the light of the Supreme Courts verdict also approved establishment of new investigation agency akin to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The investigation agency will work under the proposed commission free from any influence of the Government or any other department.
After detail deliberations, the Committee unanimously agreed to appoint chief prosecutor of commission for three-year-term which could neither be extended nor he could be re-appointed on the same post.
The powers to dismiss the chief prosecutor will also be vested in the proposed commission. A person who will qualify to become the judge of Supreme Court of Pakistan will be appointed as chief prosecutor.
The Committee will meet again on Thursday (today).