New NAB chief to personally monitor Panama cases

Javed Iqbal assumes charge; assures justice for all

ISLAMABAD: Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, who assumed charge as chairman of the country’s apex anti-corruption body on Wednesday, has promised across-the-board accountability within the ambit of law.

In his first informal interaction with reporters, the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said the graft buster would perform its duties purely on merit and in accordance with the law.

“Accountability will be ensured but while remaining within the ambit of law and not on the desire of anyone,” said Iqbal, who is the ninth chairman of the bureau.

“I will try to live up to the expectations of the general public and the confidence political parties have reposed in me,” he said, adding that he had no favourites nor did he enjoy affiliation with any party.

He said that while serving in the Supreme Court, he had followed the slogan “justice for all” and now he would work to ensure “accountability of all, as no one is above the law”.

Major changes in terms of performance would soon be witnessed in NAB, he said, adding, “I assure you that NAB will act as per law.”

Replying to a question about a recent statement of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief that his party would keenly observe the performance of the NAB chairman, he said, “There is no need to keep a close eye on me as everyone is answerable to his conscience and the Almighty.”

Talking to a television channel later, the NAB chief said everyone should keep his expectations from the bureau within legal limits.

He said he would himself monitor the process of prosecution in references related to the Panamagate case. “If there are some shortcomings, they will be removed,” he added.