NAB enjoys public trust, international recognition: Javed Iqbal

The country’s top anti-graft watchdog – the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) – enjoys the confidence of the general public as well as recognition by the international organisations due to its effective campaign against corruption in Pakistan.

“According to a survey of Gillani and Gallop, 59% people of Pakistan showed confidence in NAB,” said a statement issued on Friday after a meeting chaired by NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal. The meeting, held at NAB headquarters, reviewed the overall performance of the graft buster.

“The Transparency International (TI) Pakistan and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have also appreciated NAB's overall performance in the eradication of corruption and corrupt practices,” the statement quoted NAB chairman as saying.

He said the TI in its recent report lauded the recovery of Rs466 billion by NAB.

“The TI Pakistan has held many workshops, training, and seminars, especially on NAB's interaction with the business community and bureaucrats,” he added. He said NAB has started the combined investigation team (CIT) system to conduct inquiries and investigations.

NAB, Iqbal said, has established its own Pakistan Training and Research Academy in which specialised training has been started for investigation officers as well as prosecuting officers along modern lines in order to conduct investigations of cases of money laundering and white-collar crime.

“NAB has also established anti-money laundering cells at NAB headquarters as well as witness handling cells in all the regions to improve the standard and quality of investigations as per law.     

“NAB is regularly reviewing its performance through computer-based specially devised state of the art monitoring and evaluation systems but also physically inspecting through NAB chairman's Inspection and Monitoring Team (CIMT) to further review overall performance of NAB.”

He said special complaint cells have been established at NAB headquarters and regional bureaus to listen to the complaints of the business community “as NAB has great regard for the business community which play a vital role in the development of the country”.  

The chairman said NAB intends to incorporate experienced legal counsel, prosecutors, deputy prosecutors and additional prosecutor general in its legal team in order to have vigorous prosecution.       

“NAB is the focal organisation of Pakistan under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as Pakistan is signatory of UNCAC.

“Pakistan is the only country in the world with which China has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for eradication of corruption. Pakistan and China are now jointly working for ensuring transparency in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.”

He said the World Economic Forum Report, the TI, Pildat and Mishal Pakistan have lauded NAB's efforts to create awareness among people about the ill effects of corruption and for establishing a corruption free Pakistan.