In a major development, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Aftab Sultan tendered his resignation as the anti-graft watchdog chair.
It is unclear why Aftab Sultan stepped down as NAB Chairman less than a year of his appointment, however, media reports state that he was asked to “toe the line”, hence he resigned. NAB chairman had also reportedly met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who accepted his resignation.
“I was asked to do certain things which were not acceptable to me,” Aftab Sultan allegedly told the media.”I told them that I cannot continue with the conditions. My resignation has been accepted and it comes to an end on a positive note,” he said. “Prime Minister expressed good wishes for me, I also have good wishes for him.”
Aftab Sultan previously served as the IB DG twice and has remained associated with the police department in senior posts as a grade-22 official.
Read more: PTI govt paves way for NAB chairman Javed Iqbal
Interestingly, Aftab Sultan is winning praise for resigning instead of “following orders” and allowing “interference”.
“Hats off to Aftab Sultan who refused to follow the orders like his predecessor Javed Iqbal and resigned as Chairman NAB. He set examples for many others. Most of the honest officers in this country transferred and posted as OSD,” journalist Mazhar Abbas said.
Hats off to Aftab Sultan who refused to follow the orders like his predecessor Javed Iqbal and resigned as Chairman NAB. He set examples for many others. Most of the honest officers in this country transferred and posted as OSD.
— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) February 21, 2023
“The resignation of the Chairman Accountability Bureau is a big step towards the collapse of the fascist system, Aftab Sultan resigned against “interference” in his work. It is in the interest of both the country and the bureaucracy,” PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said.
چیئرمین احتساب بیورو کااستعفیٰ فاشسٹ نظام کے ٹوٹنے کی طرف بڑا قدم ہے،آفتاب سلطان نے ان کے کام میں“مداخلت”کے خلاف استعفیٰ دیا میں ان 22افسران کو جن کو پنجاب میں مداخلت کرنے کیلئے لگایا گیا ہے کہتا ہوں وہ بھی خود کو اس نظام سے علیحدہ کریں یہ ملک اور بیوروکریسی دونوں کے مفاد میں ہے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 21, 2023
Aftab Sultan was appointed as the NAB chairman in July 2022 after the formal approval of the federal cabinet meeting. According to the details in the media, the allied parties had opposed the suggestion to appoint Sultan as the NAB chairman.
However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held consultations and finally made the decision for his appointment. The position of Chairman NAB was previously held by former chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal who retired on Jun 2, 2022.
Read more: Aftab Sultan appointed as NAB Chairman
Pertinent to mention a NAB reference was also approved against Aftab Sultan and he remained a co-accused with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif over alleged irregularity in the purchase of vehicles in the name of the Saarc conference.