PM Imran terms decade before PTI as 'dark ages'

Says NAB's recoveries for years 2019, 2020 reveal how nation benefits when state institutions function independently

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan termed on Monday the decade before Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into power as the "dark ages under corrupt rulers".

The premier said this in a tweet while revealing the total recoveries made by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in 2019 and 2020 compared with the recoveries it made in the past 10 years.

“Total recoveries by NAB in 2019 & 2020 amount to Rs.389 bn in comparison to previous 10 yrs (2008-2018) recoveries of Rs.104 bn,” he said.

He added that the following facts “reveal how the nation benefits when state institutions are allowed to function independently without political interference.”

The following facts reveal how the nation benefits when state institutions are allowed to function independently without political interference. Total recoveries by NAB in 2019 & 2020 amount to Rs.389 bn in comparison to previous 10 yrs (2008-2018) recoveries of Rs.104 bn.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 4, 2021

PM Imran further stated that the anti-graft authority recovered Rs206 billion in 27 months in comparison to only Rs3 billion in the past decade in Punjab.

“These are clear indications of accountability working when institutions are independent,” the prime minister maintained.

These were 10 yrs of dark ages under corrupt rulers. Again, Anti Corruption in Punjab recovered Rs.206 bn in 27 months in comparison to only Rs.3 bn in the past 10 yrs under corrupt rulers. These are clear indications of accountability working when institutions are independent.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 4, 2021

NAB recovered an unprecedented Rs363 billion from corrupt elements in the last two years and deposited the amount in the national exchequer.

“NAB is an effective institution, which is taking measures for the eradication of corruption from the country,” the anti-graft buster chief Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said in a statement issued in November, 2020.

“It [NAB] has concentrated [efforts] on pursuing cases of corruption, misappropriation in government funds, abuse of authority, money laundering and cheating people at large,” he added.