'NAB committed to making nation corruption-free'

Pakistan’s ranking in Corruption Perception Index improve nine points due to NAB’s efforts

According to the latest report of Transparency International (TI), Pakistan’s ranking in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has improved plus 9 points which is a great achievement for Pakistan due to the consistent efforts of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) efforts.

This was disclosed by NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry while chairing a meeting to review the latest of Transparency International.

He said that Pakistan was considered a role model in South Asian countries in its efforts against corruption. He said that Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in Pakistan as per Transparency International (TI) report is declining after 2013 due to steps taken by the present management of NAB against corrupt elements at large throughout the country. Besides TI, the other Independent National and International watchdogs like PLIDAT and World Economic Forum have also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in eradication of corruption.

Chaudhry said that NAB is committed to make Pakistan corruption-free country. NAB is focusing on Awareness and Preventive and Enforcement Strategy of laws so that the corruption could be nipped in the bud. He emphasised upon all NAB officers to work hard even double their efforts for eradication of corruption by adopting a Zero Tolerance Policy across the board.

The Chairman said that NAB has rationalized its workload and timelines have been prescribed for efficient, effective and expeditious disposal of cases putting a maximum limit of 10 months which is a challenging target to investigate cases of even white collar crimes.

NAB has also introduced a new System of Combine Investigation Team (CIT) in order to benefit from the experience and collective wisdom of senior supervisory officers.

He said that youth is our future. NAB has stressed upon  Character Building Societies of youth in universities and colleges to create awareness in them about the ill effects of corruption at an early age. More than forty two housand Character Building Societies (CBS) have been set up in universities and colleges. He stated that a set target for 2017 was  that the number of Character Building Societies (CBS) should reach at least at fifty thousand thousands.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2017.