The decision was made at a consultative meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani here.
Sources told Geo News that the meeting was by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Babar Awan and some other members of the federal cabinet.
The meeting agreed to appoint Justice (Retd.) Syed Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman NAB before the expiry of the period allowed for the purpose by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
According to sources, President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the summary proposing the appointment of Justice (Retd.) Syed Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman NAB. The notification in this regard will be issued by tonight or tomorrow.
Opposition leader in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar had already rejected the name of Deedar Hussain Shah for the position of NAB Chief. Chaudhry Nisar referred to Deedar Hussain Shah’s election as MNA on PPP ticket in the past, thus, considering the latter ineligible for the position of Chairman NAB.
The meeting Chaired by the Prime Minister also said that a strategy is all set to deal with the complications that might arise as a result of his appointment.
The decision is bound to trigger fierce debate and controversy, as the government has apparently failed to engage the opposition in the process of consultation prior to the appointment of Chairman NAB, which has been made mandatory through the passage of 18th amendment bill.
Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Pervez Rasheed said in reaction to the latest development that the opposition leaders were not taken on board in the decision of the appointment of Justice (Retd.) Syed Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman NAB.
“We had no knowledge whatsoever in this regard, so it is going to be difficult for us to accept this decision,” he said.