The long wait might finally be over. The PML-N and PPP-P have been able to come up with a consensus candidate for the slot of one of the most crucial positions in Pakistan: the chairman, National Accountability Bureau (NAB). While key positions including the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States and United Kingdom are shamelessly vacant, it is a relief that both the PPP-P and PML-N have narrowed down a name for chairman NAB to further deliberate and finalise.
Originally, three people were shortlisted, which included Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Khawaja Zaheer of the District Management Group, and Justic Raza Khan. The PML-N also proposed the name of Mr Shoaib Suddle, a retired police officer, in the consultation process, which however, was ruled out by the PPPP in a surprising move, despite Mr Suddle sharing close ties with Mr Asif Ali Zardari. Justice Bhagwandas could not be appointed for technical reasons pertaining to the constitution, and Mr Zaheer in an act of superior integrity refused to accept the position, leaving only Justice Raza Khan.
However, another name, that of Dr Wasim Kausar, a retired officer from the Police Group has also been added in a recent meeting, over which both the PPP-P and PML-N have shown silent approval. Dr Kausar is said to fit the job description, and has relevant education and work experience. According to one of the sources in the PPP-P who is involved in the selection process, “The government and the Opposition are looking for someone from the Police Group who can handle complex investigation cases, have the experience and ability to reform organisations, and most importantly, someone who can keep the organisation politically neutral.”
NAB stands at a critical juncture with urgent institutional reforms needed in the organisation. The author’s research on the organisation reveals that severe internal rifts currently grip NAB. NAB, like Pakistan, also faces a serious civil-military dispute, with employees from military backgrounds at odds with those from the civilian side. Rifts also exist between the permanent employees and those on deputation over promotions and perks. There is also the problem of NAB being played into the hands of politicians and rich businessmen, which further dampens its efforts to be a legitimate non-partisan body. The organisation desperately needs structural reforms, and a strong leadership with a background in investigation and prosecution that can also resist the political, judicial and military pressure to work independently.
In the light of the current problems faced by NAB, the decision by the PML-N and PPP-P to appoint a retired police officer makes a lot of sense. A little scrutiny into Dr Wasim Kausar’s profile reveals why the government and the Opposition have taken keen interest to appoint Dr Kausar as the Chairman NAB.
Dr Wasim Kausar, a Ravian, retired as an Inspector General of Police. He is credited with revamping and reforming the National Highway and Motorway Police during his tenure as Inspector General of Motorway and Highway Police. He has been a strong advocate of police reforms, and has implemented ‘Public Friendly and Service Oriented Policing’ during his tenures at the Motorway and Highway Police, Police College Sihala, National Police Academy, and National Police Bureau. According to one of his juniors, Dr Kausar was also selected as a Police Advisor to the United Nations, with additional charge of the Head of Police Division in UN Headquarters on the basis of his outstanding work and academic accomplishments. He is reported to have turned down the position so to serve in Pakistan at the time of crisis in the country. Also surprising is that Dr Kausar is a rare case in the police force who holds a PhD in Police Studies from the University of Exeter, UK.
Dr Kausar, with 30 years of experience in the police, specialises in investigation and prosecution, but that is not the only thing that has attracted the PML-N and PPP-P to shortlist him for the job. The fact that Dr Kausar has held key positions during the tenures of the PML-N, PPP-P, and PML-Q governments, and has a reputation of being non-partisan and apolitical makes him a candidate that both the PPP-P and PML N can agree upon.
Dr Wasim Kausar has also served as an advisor to chairman NAB recently, one of the reasons why he is being considered seriously for the chairmanship. He suits well the needs of both the PML-N and PPP-P. The PML-N wants someone who understands the organisational structure and key problems faced by NAB, basically someone highly qualified who can quickly get the grasp of the situation and deliver. On the other hand, the PPP-P does not have much to demand, except that the new chairman refrains from the policy of political victimisation and targeting of PPP-P parliamentarians.
NAB provides a case of terrible crisis and tremendous opportunity. The delay in the selection of chairman NAB will only contribute to the slow deterioration of the organisation. Whether Dr Wasim Kausar will be appointed or not, and if appointed, whether he will able to steer the organisation and bring in the much needed reforms or not is a secondary question. The appointment of an honest, qualified, and well respected man as the chairman NAB is the fist and foremost step that will be an indication of the seriousness and commitment of the PML-N and PPP-P to take Pakistan forward.
The writer is a lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad. He is also an Associate Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR), Kings College, London. He can be reached at [email protected]