Scope of accountability bill debated in Pakistan

Dawn reports here that parliamentarians in Pakistan are debating whether generals should be swept in (along with judges) under a proposed National Accountability Commission Act, to replace the National Accountability Ordinance 1999.

The existing National Accountability Ordinance, promulgated by military dictator General Pervez Musharraf in 1999, brought public officeholders, civil servants, politicians and even civilians under the law but exempted the personnel of armed forces as well as judges of superior courts. 

However, there are also legal complications due to which the committee is undecided on applying the law on judges and the military persons. 

Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, a member of the committee, told Dawn that though there was a consensus among members to bring both the categories under the law, the committee would have to consider certain legal issues as well. 

He said the Pakistan Army Act 1952 also deals with charges of corruption and corrupt practices in the military. The judges of the superior judiciary may face trial under Article 209 of the Constitution. 

Laws already exist for the accountability of military personnel as well as the judges of superior courts, he added. 

Barrister Saif said the committee had to examine the existing laws of the two institutions before applying the NAC on them.