NAB reviews major housing sector scams

Anti-graft watchdog chief calls for effective witnesses

LAHORE:

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, while reviewing uninterrupted action against corrupt elements, said that only relevant witnesses supported by evidence should be presented in courts hearing corruption references.

He was speaking during a briefing given by the NAB Lahore director general (DG) and Combined Investigation Teams (CITs).

The chairman visited the NAB Lahore offices to review updates in mega corruption cases, particularly those of the housing sector, which include Ashiana-i-Iqbal and Paragon City cases, Eden Housing scandal and inquiry against Pak-Arab Housing Society, as per an official statement.

He said the Lahore NAB authorities had recovered Rs78 billion indirectly in 23 cases and Rs10 billion directly from corrupt elements in 22 cases during past four years.

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Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said while addressing the bureau's officials that NAB was a prime Institution that was challenging corrupt elements while remaining under the ambit of the law.

He said NAB would continue to take merit-based action with the same zeal and dedication while ignoring any kind of pressure or propaganda. He said NAB had no links or affiliation with any political party, except the state and its public.

The NAB chairman advised the prosecution wing to limiting the number of witnesses in corruption references, so that the trials in courts may conclude without delay.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2021.