Fighting corruption: Anti-graft strategy showing results, says NAB chief
Qamar Zaman says more complaints show greater public trust
NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said on Monday that the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) had started showing results as the number of complaints received so far this year has reached 28,844.
The number of complaints lodged with NAB last year was 19,997 and the increase reflected enhanced public trust, he said in an interview with APP. Of the total complaints, 11,774 have been verified, 5,723 moved to the inquiry stage, and 2,432 authorised for investigation, he added. So far this year, 1,131 references have been prepared and filed in respective accountability courts.
Listing the measures taken since taking charge of the bureau, Chaudhry said these included introduction of Combined Investigation Teams (CIT), review of Standard Operating Procedures and making them relevant to the current times, clearly defined job descriptions, rational timelines for completing investigations, capacity building tailored around specific job requirements and rationalisation of workload, which had started showing positive results.
Answering another question, he said NAB would sign anti-graft agreements with China and Malaysia. The bureau also plans to hold the first Saarc conference on anti-corruption in Islamabad. The NAB chairman referred to the World Anti-Corruption Day being observed on December 9.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2015.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said on Monday that the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) had started showing results as the number of complaints received so far this year has reached 28,844.
The number of complaints lodged with NAB last year was 19,997 and the increase reflected enhanced public trust, he said in an interview with APP. Of the total complaints, 11,774 have been verified, 5,723 moved to the inquiry stage, and 2,432 authorised for investigation, he added. So far this year, 1,131 references have been prepared and filed in respective accountability courts.
Listing the measures taken since taking charge of the bureau, Chaudhry said these included introduction of Combined Investigation Teams (CIT), review of Standard Operating Procedures and making them relevant to the current times, clearly defined job descriptions, rational timelines for completing investigations, capacity building tailored around specific job requirements and rationalisation of workload, which had started showing positive results.
Answering another question, he said NAB would sign anti-graft agreements with China and Malaysia. The bureau also plans to hold the first Saarc conference on anti-corruption in Islamabad. The NAB chairman referred to the World Anti-Corruption Day being observed on December 9.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2015.