Search Committee Formation UnderwayACC restructuring process begins; draft reform law prepared

The formal process of restructuring the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and appointing a new commission has begun, alongside preparations for sweeping legal reforms aimed at overhauling the agency's powers, structure and operational framework.

According to Cabinet Division sources, steps are underway to form a search committee under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, to recommend candidates for the new commission. The Chief Justice has been requested to nominate one judge each from the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court for inclusion in the committee.

As stipulated by law, the five-member search committee will comprise a judge from the Appellate Division, a judge from the High Court Division, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the immediate past Cabinet Secretary and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The committee will shortlist six qualified candidates and submit their names to the President, who will appoint three commissioners from the list and designate one of them as chairman.

Sources said the Cabinet Division sent the request to the Supreme Court on 24 May. However, due to the Eid-ul-Azha holidays that began on 25 May, the names of the nominated judges had not yet been forwarded as of the first working day after the holidays on 1 June. The nominations are expected within the next few days.

The move comes after the resignation of the ACC chairman and two commissioners on 3 March, leaving the commission without a full leadership structure.

Meanwhile, the ACC has also prepared a draft of the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Act, 2024, proposing significant changes to the commission's investigative powers, administrative structure and recruitment process.

The proposed amendments would grant the ACC special powers, including conducting undercover inquiries, freezing bank transactions and seizing assets. The draft also seeks to bring offences such as fraud, forgery, money laundering, stock market manipulation and securities-related crimes under the commission's jurisdiction.

Other proposed changes include reforms to case approval procedures, staffing and recruitment systems, codes of conduct, and stricter penalties for providing false information.

Officials said the draft law is currently in the final review stage and may be placed before Parliament after completion of the required procedures.