NAB chief rebuffs business community's concerns

Says he is surprised by reports that tycoons complained about anti-graft body to army chief, PM

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Javed Iqbal on Sunday said the business community's reservations about the anti-corruption body's actions were "completely baseless" and he categorically rejected them – the second time in just a week that he has dispelled the impression that the graft-buster was responsible for slamming the brakes on economic growth.

Addressing a news conference, Iqbal said he was surprised by reports that some top tycoons had complained about NAB in their recent meetings with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"Sometimes it is important to speak out against such unwarranted criticism," he added. "NAB would never take any steps to harm the country's business community. On the contrary, it has taken steps for the betterment of the country's business environment."

The NAB chairman said he was particularly surprised by the reservations expressed by a businessman who had recently written a letter praising the anti-graft body's performance.

He maintained that NAB officers would never let such insinuations affect their performance or morale and would continue to protect the country's interests.

Iqbal also clarified that NAB was in no way aspiring for sweeping powers as enjoyed by the anti-corruption authorities in Saudi Arabia.

He added that he was well aware of the basic operational differences between democracies and monarchies. "What I meant was that if NAB had powers similar to those of the Saudi authorities, we could recover looted wealth at a much faster pace."

The NAB chairman said the business community was the backbone of the country's progress and the bureau was ready to resolve its genuine problems.

"Special cells have been set up at the NAB headquarters and all the regional offices have also been directed to address the grievances of the business community," he added.

"A committee with representatives of the business community will be formed. It will play a consultative role and hopefully there won't be any more complaints against NAB."

Iqbal said the business community's income and sales tax related cases would be referred to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

"NAB never takes action against bank defaulters on its own and refers the cases to banking courts," he explained, adding that the graft-buster only stepped in when bank and the client failed to reach a settlement.

He further said NAB was willing to withdraw cases against the managements of housing societies if they provided the promised plots and houses to the allottees within eight weeks.

"NAB will continue taking action against illegal private housing societies, which have deceived citizens and deprived them of their life savings," he added.

Iqbal said a strong economy was the basic ingredient for the progress of any country and ensured its defence and stability.

"NAB is not harassing any honest, law-abiding business community members, who are providing jobs and playing their active role in the development of the country as per law."

To a question, Iqbal said no NAB official would make a phone call to a businessman.  "If necessary, the NAB director general will send a notice to the businessman citing the reasons for it. In case of an unsatisfactory reply, the businessman will not be summoned but sent a questionnaire. He will only be summoned if the answers to the questions are unsatisfactory."

The NAB chairman said he would personally listen to the grievances of businessmen on the last Thursday of every month.

On October 3, Iqbal had sought business community's cooperation in 'his endeavour' to eradicate corruption from the society, claiming that the graft buster had no role in ruining the country's economy.

"NAB is a people-friendly institution that ensures accountability without discrimination. It is to serve people and not to intimidate them. It files cases after complete investigation and inquiries," he told businessmen in Lahore.

The NAB chairman also rejected the claim that the anti-graft watchdog was only targeting the opposition parties.

With additional input from APP