ISLAMABAD: After allegedly refusing to “toe the line,” Aftab Sultan reportedly tendered his resignation as chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), according to media reports on Tuesday.
After Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal’s term as head of the anti-graft body expired last year, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government appointed him to the position on July 21, 2022, for a three-year term. Sultan presented his resignation to Prime Minister Shehbaz, citing personal reasons, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. “The prime minister praised Aftab Sultan’s honesty and integrity and appreciated his services. The prime minister reluctantly accepted Sultan’s resignation at his insistence, according to the PM Office.
Sultan revealed in a media interview that he had recently resigned from his position. Aftab Sultan stated, “I was asked to do certain things that were not acceptable to me.” “I informed them that I could not continue under the circumstances. It ends on a good note and my resignation has been accepted,” he said. “The prime minister expressed his best wishes for me, and I do the same for him.” According to the sources, Sultan had refused to detain politicians when someone ordered it. They added, “He was pressured by the government and some other institutions in the last four months to file cases and arrest people of their choosing.
Sultan, as per source, had also withdrawn the arrest powers from NAB director-generals (DGs) to avoid misuse of authority by the officials.
Later, during a farewell ceremony at the headquarters of the anti-graft watchdog, Sultan expressed his happiness and satisfaction at having been able to uphold his principles and resist any pressure. Sultan said, “I tried to follow the law throughout my life and professional career and never compromised on my principles. He continued by saying that all of the nation’s issues are addressed by the Constitution. “The political and economic mess we are in today is a direct result of not abiding by the constitution. Elections and the political process must be continuous, according to the former NAB director. Sultan stated that he cannot file a false complaint against anyone or withdraw a reference against someone merely because the offender has been identified.
