ISLAMABAD – Chairman National Accountability Bureau, Justice (r) Javed Iqbal promised to step down from his post if even a single allegation against the bureau is proven.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the NAB chief detailed the functioning of the bureau and emphasized that it was functioning without any dictation or political tinge.
Regarding the grievances of the business community, Justice (r) Javed Iqbal said that businessmen would not be summoned to the bureau and instead a questionnaire would be dispatched.
‘The grievances of the business community would be addressed by DG headquarter himself,’ vowed the NAB chief and added that if any businessman is having any complaint, he should personally inform him or visit the bureau.
He expressed that he was ready to meet any businessman for listening to his complaints, even if he had to walk up to the individual. Justice (r) Javed Iqbal said that businessmen would not be questioned for TT type of money transfer.
Justice (r) Javed Iqbal said that the business community was being told that NAB was behind the faltering economy, however, he questioned about the role NAB could have played for the weakening of rupee against US Dollar.
He observed that the public representatives were being questioned for money laundering and ‘they would be grilled’.
Drawing a comparison between the remunerations, the NAB chief expressed that the accused pay a hefty amount to the lawyers while NAB pays its prosecutor a few lacs.
About the ‘friendly ties’ with the government, the NAB chief expressed that had it been the case, the bureau would not be having problems discussing its budget with the government.
‘NAB would now do whatever is in the best interest of the country,’ he commented and added that Pakistan has to come out of the FATF Grey-List.
He expressed that NAB was linked to the state and not to the government adding that democracy is endangered due to its own actions instead of accountability.
‘NAB and economy are running side by side and would continue to do so,’ added the official.
The NAB Chairman expressed that certain individuals must not have involved their women and families in money laundering adding that the bureau dispatches women officers and sends them questionnaires instead of summoning them.
Justice (r) Javed Iqbal urged the government not to appoint individuals facing investigations to government positions.
‘1250 references are being pursued by NAB currently,’ he said and added that he would not respond to the allegations hurled against him, however, it was necessary to clarify the position of NAB.
He also expressed displeasure over the attitude of public representatives saying that whenever a lawmaker is summoned, assembly sessions are convened and NAB has to present the legislator.
‘We respect public representatives,’ he affirmed.
The NAB chief informed the newsmen that the bureau had requested the government to place name of few suspects on the Exit Control List, however, such action was not taken and the accused fled the country.
At the end of his presser, the NAB chief expressed that the bureau was reviewing the approval of bail plea granted to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Aleem Khan.
