NAB Chairman Lt. Gen (Retired) Nazir Ahmed Gets 3 Years Extension

ISLAMABAD, March 6, 2026: The federal government has extended the tenure of Lt. Gen (retired) Nazir Ahmed as chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for an additional three years.

Nazir Ahmed initially assumed charge of NAB on March 4, 2023, following the resignation of his predecessor, Aftab Sultan. The new extension will officially take effect from March 6, 2026, according to an official government notification.

Presidential Approval and Legal Amendment

The extension comes after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the NAB (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on Thursday. The amendment allows the federal government to extend the NAB chairman’s term for another three years.

The approval followed swift passage of the bill through both Houses of Parliament, despite protests from opposition lawmakers. The decision was finalized just a day before Nazir Ahmed’s current tenure was set to expire.

Key Changes in NAB Law

Previously, the NAB chairman’s tenure was limited to three years and could not be extended or renewed under the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance.

The recent amendment to Section 6 of the ordinance now permits the federal government to extend the chairman’s term once for an additional three years. This change allows NAB leadership to continue beyond the original non-extendable term, marking a significant shift in Pakistan’s accountability framework.

Background on Lt. Gen Nazir Ahmed

Nazir Ahmed, a retired lieutenant general, has led NAB since 2023. During his tenure, he has overseen several high-profile accountability cases. The extension ensures continuity in leadership amid ongoing investigations against corruption and misuse of public funds.