THE National Accountability Bureau denies there is ongoing politicisation of accountability in the country or that the timing of some of its recent actions is related to the upcoming general election. The NAB leadership will have to work harder to dispel the growing concerns and suspicions. To be clear, NAB cannot be expected to and should not halt its operations simply because an election is imminent. The cause of accountability is year-round and no elected representative or aspirant to elected office should expect the law to be suspended just because an election is about to take place. What is troubling about some of NAB’s recent actions, however, is that taken together they suggest a focus on the PML-N specifically and appear to involve unnecessarily harsh tactics. While all parties tend to view any action against their leaderships as politically motivated, and try and use the court of public opinion to escape lawful prosecution, prima facie a case of bias against the PML-N can be made.

Certainly, as an elected government both at the centre and in Punjab, the PML-N had the largest role in governance over the past five years. Remarkably, though perhaps predictably, there are no known instances of the PML-N itself initiating an inquiry and taking action against any party member or leader alleged to be involved in corruption and the misuse of public monies. The PML-N would have the country and the public believe that no official or politician associated with one of Pakistan’s largest political parties, and a party clearly dominant in Punjab, has been involved in any form of corruption or misuse of public office. Nevertheless, it is NAB’s responsibility to ensure that the rules and procedures are scrupulously adhered to at all times, and the cause of accountability both remain and be perceived as apolitical. Arresting a PML-N ticket holder simply at the stage that an investigation has been opened is surely excessive. Similarly, activating international channels to try and seek the forcible return of Sharif family members to Pakistan is strangely timed.

Indeed, the NAB leadership does not seem to understand that it may be harming the longer-term cause of accountability by taking actions that allow the PML-N to credibly allege bias. A politicised accountability process is what the country’s major political parties have used as an excuse time and again to delay the introduction of a comprehensive accountability regime. Moreover, with the PML-N asserting that the party is being subjected to targeted accountability, the sympathy factor may play a role in some voters’ decision in whom to vote for — surely something that NAB does not want to be associated with. Perhaps NAB should desist from showy public statements and actions in the weeks ahead and prepare for the post-election accountability scenario.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2018