Logical conclusion of mega corruption cases NAB's top priority: Chairman Javed Iqbal

ISLAMABAD - Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (R) Javed Iqbal Friday resolved that logical conclusion of mega corruption white collar cases is the Bureau's topmost priority.

The chairman expressed the resolve while chairing a meeting to review the overall performance of NAB, Lahore, a press release said.

He said that corruption is a root cause of all the evils and the anti-graft watchdog is committed to deal corrupt elements with iron hands and would ensure due process of law in its affairs by adopting professionalism.

Director General NAB Lahore and other senior officials of all wings briefed the chairman about ongoing cases.

Javed Iqbal said that NAB has chalked out proactive and effective anti-corruption strategy in order to make the country corruption free.NAB’s operational methodology has set three stages for the proceeding of cases complaint verification, inquiry, and investigation.

He said the figures of complaints, inquiries, and investigations are almost doubled as compared to the same period of 2017 to 2018. The comparative figures are the testimony of the hard work being put in by all ranks of NAB staff in an atmosphere of renewed energy and dynamism, where the fight against corruption is being taken as a national duty. Increase in the number of complaints also reflects enhanced public trusted in the NAB.

The Pakistan Institution of Legislative Development and Transparency in its report supports the position stated above as 42 percent people trusted NAB against other government officials. The report of Transparency International has also rated Pakistan in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 126 to 116.He said Pakistan has a role model for SAARC countries in the eradication of corruption and made first Chairman of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries Anti-Corruption Forum which is a great achievement for Pakistan due to NAB's efforts.

The World Economic Forum and Mishal Pakistan according to Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum rated Pakistan from 102 to 99 which is a great achievement for Pakistan.

He said that NAB through detailed introspection and analysis of organizational weaknesses, an overhaul of procedures and all pillars of the organization including Operations, Prosecution, Human Resource Development and Awareness and Prevention have been reactivated.

He said that an effective accountability mechanism is quintessential for economic growth, investment and stability of social order. The intervention by NAB has acted as a catalyst, as transparency is a prerequisite for promoting investment and economic growth.

Since its inception, NAB had adopted the Enforcement based approach in its fight against corruption.  Beside Enforcement, special focus is, therefore, being given to Awareness and Prevention activities to educate the people at large about ill effects of corruption.

He said that youth is the future of Pakistan. NAB has laid special emphases on youth. He said that the initiatives taken by the present management of NAB have started yielding excellent results which will continue in future.