NAB chief seeks punishing corrupt on basis of ‘solid evidence’

Directs officials concerned to utilise all available resources for concluding mega corruption white collar cases

ISLAMABAD:

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal on Tuesday directed all the regional bureaus to ensure punishing the corrupt elements by conducting complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations on the basis of solid evidence.

Chairing a meeting to review the performance of NAB as well as regional bureaus especially the under trial cases, he said that hard work, commitment, dedication, professionalism and experience always proved helpful in conducting investigations.

NAB strongly believes in imparting and enhancing the capacity building of its investigation officers as training, which is an ongoing process, is all about learning new techniques, technology, scientific methods and enables them to meet modern-day requirements of investigation, he said.   

The NAB chairman directed the officials concerned to utilise all available resources for concluding the mega corruption white collar cases on scientific basis so that complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations are completed within the prescribed timeframe as per the standard operating procedure in a transparent manner.

Proper monitoring of the performance of NAB headquarters and all regional bureaus would be ensured by persistent vigilance so that performance of the regional bureaus could improve further, he said.

The NAB chairman directed all bureaus to ensure that the cases are pursued in an effective manner.

The anti-corruption establishment has recovered Rs714 billion from corrupt elements directly and indirectly since its inception.

The meeting decided to ensure effective oversight as well as further improving the standard and quality of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations for the filing of references on the basis of solid evidence.

It also agreed to review the functioning of NAB’s forensic science laboratory for the purpose.

NAB Deputy Chairman Hussain Asghar, Prosecutor General Accountability Syed Asghar Haider and DG Operations Zahir Shah attended the meeting while DGs of regional bureaus participated in the session via video link.

With input from APP