Doing best to prevent corruption in national development projects: NAB chairman

Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal vows to recover all looted money from corrupt elements

QUETTA: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal has said that NAB is playing its full role in foiling attempts of corrupt elements and taking concrete measures to prevent corruption in all national development projects, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The NAB chairman expressed these views while reviewing the performance of NAB, Balochistan at its office in Quetta.
He said, “Balochistan's development will ensure development of the whole country.”



He said that CPEC was not only essential for Pakistan's economic uplift and prosperity, but was also a game changer for the whole region.

“NAB does not look at the face of the suspect, instead focuses on the case and allegations filed against him,” he said. “The Pat Feeder Canal has been linked to the economic future of Balochistan's agricultural belt and NAB will take strict action against all corrupt elements involved in the canal case and recover all the money which belongs to the people of Balochistan only.”

The chairman said that NAB was performing its duties according to the law for the complete end of corruption.



He said, “Main purpose of NAB is not only to punish corrupt elements but is also to recover the looted money and return it to the national exchequer so ongoing development projects could be completed on time.”

The NAB chairman issued instructions for deciding all mega corruption and other cases within the fixed time.

He said, “The bureau has made tremendous efforts and recovered billions of rupees from corrupt elements involved in the Balochistan finance case and has returned all this looted money to the Balochistan government.”



He said that NAB had nothing to do with elections, “it is just performing its duty” by taking action against those who have robbed national treasure.

He said, “So far, NAB has collected Rs296 billion from the fraudulent and corrupt elements, which is a record success.”

Iqbal reiterated the policy of zero tolerance against corruption and said, “NAB will continue following the policy of ‘accountability for all’.”

He added that NAB would continue its mission, as the first and last commitment of NAB “is to protect Pakistan and its interests”.

He appreciated the performance of NAB Balochistan under the supervision of Director General Mirza Muhammad Irfan Baig and directed to further improve it.