ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah held a meeting on Monday — their second sitting in less than three weeks — to discuss the appointment of a new chairman of the National Accountability Bureau.

Official sources said that the two agreed to continue consultations on the matter, and another meeting between them is expected on Tuesday (today).

In a statement issued after the meeting, Mr Shah said he had consulted all other opposition parties, except the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Movem­ent, on the issue of appointment of the NAB chairman.

Both the PTI and MQM are gathering support of opposition lawmakers to oust Mr Shah of the Pakistan Peoples Party from the office of the opposition leader before the NAB chairman’s appointment.

Under the National Accountability Ordinance, appointment of NAB chairman is made by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. The four-year term of incumbent NAB chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry will end on Oct 10.

The first contact between the prime minister and Mr Shah was made on Sept 13. A PM House statement said they had agreed to follow the process of the appointment of the NAB chairman strictly in accordance with legal provisions.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2017