*ISLAMABAD – Mirza Shahzad Akbar, former NAB prosecutor has been appointedas special assistant to the Prime Minister on accountability, anotification from the Cabinet Secretariat read on Monday.*

“In terms of rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973 read with serialnumber 1A of Schedule-VA of the said rules, the prime minister has beenpleased to appoint, with immediate effect, Mirza Shahzad Akbar as specialassistant to the prime minister on accountability, with the status ofMinister of State,” said the notification.

Following the new government’s promise to crackdown on corruption in thecountry, it is reportedly the first time that a Minister of State onAccountability has been hired by the premier of Pakistan.

Mr. Akbar is also the founder, legal director and a trustee of theFoundation for Fundamental Rights, an organisation that works “towards theadvancement, protection and enforcement of fundamental human rights”.

Last night, in his maiden speech to the nation as prime minister ofPakistan, Imran Khan on Sunday warned “When we start our drive againstcorruption, there will be a lot of noise from all the corrupt individualsin every institution. They might lead protests too, but you have to standby me. We have to beat them to save this nation.”

A cricket legend and firebrand nationalist, Khan swept to power in lastmonth’s election on a populist platform vowing to root out corruption amonga venal elite and lift people out of poverty.

Khan assumed the office of the chief executive of the country after takingoath at an impressive but simple ceremony at President House.