NAB warns of imprisonment for frivolous complaints

ISLAMABAD - National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has started acting against the individuals who lodge frivolous complaint with the bureau, warning imprisonment for the individuals involved in the matter.

According to a communique issued by the bureau on Friday, Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal has directed the bureau to act against complaints lodged 'with any motivation beyond law or loaded interests or with intent to cause malice to others' under section 18-h of National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999 which states:

'If a complaint is inquired into and investigated by NAB and it is concluded that file complaint received was prima facie frivolous or has been filed with the intent or malign and defame any person, the Chairman NAB, may refer the matter to the court and if the complainant is found guilty he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine or with both,' stated the press release.

The anti-graft body, however, clarified that NAB would encourage genuine complainants who lodge their complaints on the basis of solid evidence and documents that prima facie suggest commission of offences of corruption and corrupt practices.

The accountability watchdog stated that as per the procedures, after receipt of an application, complaint verification is conducted to ascertain genuineness and veracity of the contents of complaint by calling complainant who submits affidavit to that effect.

The bureau has explicitly stated that all the complainants have to submit an undertaking that their complaint is not frivolous and undertaking signed by the complainant.