ISLAMABAD, Nov 9: Lt-Gen (rtd) Shahid Aziz has been appointed new Chairman of the National Accountability (NAB) for a period of four years. According to a notification issued by the establishment division on Wednesday, President Pervez Musharraf, in exercise of his powers under section 6(b)(i) of the NAB Ordinance 1999, has appointed Lt-Gen (rtd) Aziz chairman of NAB for a period of four years with immediate effect.

Mr Aziz, who recently retired as corps commander Lahore, is the fourth chairman of the bureau.

However, he is the first retired army general who has been appointed NAB’s chief. His three predecessors were serving generals.

Former Lt-Gen Munir Hafiez was the only chairman who not only completed his four-year term and was given a one-year extension in 2004. He completed this extra year on October 31.

Under the NAB Ordinance 1999, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan can also be appointed on this post but none of the apex court judge has so far been appointed chairman NAB.

Sources in NAB told Dawn that the new chairman would form his own team and would run NAB affairs according to his own plan and strategy.

“Retirement of Fauzia Naqvi, media consultant of former NAB chairman Munir Hafiez is one of the examples that the new chief would make his own team,” the sources added.