ISLAMABAD, Sept 20: The chairman of National Accountability Bureau, Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari, has recommended the name of his former colleague in the Navy, Admiral (retd) Saeed Sarghana, for the post of NAB’s deputy chairman and sent it to President Asif Ali Zardari for approval.

However, the president has so far not taken any decision on the matter.

“I heard a summary has been sent to the president for the appointment of the deputy chairman. But I do not know whether it carries names of several nominees or just Mr Sarghana’s name,” NAB spokesman Zafar Iqbal told Dawn on Thursday.

He said the summary for Mr Sarghana’s appointment was sent a week ago to the president.

Some NAB officials believe that President Zardari has turned down the recommendation. As a result, no further action has been taken on it.

The post of deputy chairman is lying vacant in the NAB since July 3 this year when former deputy chief Javed Zia Kazi tendered his resignation and it was accepted by the president on July 24.

It has been learnt that Admiral (retd) Sarghana had served in the NAB as director general for Rawalpindi before 2005 (before induction of Fasih Bokhari) when he was serving in the Navy.

The absence of deputy chairman is putting an adverse impact on the NAB’s overall performance.