Pakistan

NAB recovered Rs2.3tr, saved $10b: chairman

Lt Gen (retd) Ahmed says eradication of corruption requires collective efforts from all stakeholders

APP December 09, 2023

NAB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed speaking at an event at the NAB Headquarters in Islamabad. PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD:

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed on Saturday maintained that the bureau had recovered an “impressive amount” of Rs2.3 trillion and generated over $10 billion in savings for the national exchequer.

He was speaking at an event to commemorate the “International Anti-Corruption Day” at the NAB Headquarters in Islamabad with the theme “Documented Economy Curbs Corruption”.

The NAB chairman emphasised that the eradication of corruption required collective efforts from all stakeholders, noting that no single institution could accomplish the task alone. He reaffirmed the anti-corruption watchdog’s commitment to ensuring that every instance of corruption faced consequences.

He asserted that the documentation of the economy would certainly benefit the country and significantly reduce corruption while reiterating NAB’s commitment to fulfill the obligations outlined in the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Prominent economist and Director General of NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS) Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan and Country Representative of United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) Pakistan Jermey Milsom attended the event as guest speakers.

Dr Ashfaque, in his keynote speech, underlined the importance of the citizens to register themselves in the taxation system so that they could enjoy welfare benefits from the state.

He mentioned that individuals in the informal/unregistered economy often experienced poverty due to a lack of access to banking incentives, including loans.

He stressed that restructuring the tax system to provide incentives would be more advantageous than relying on punitive measures.

Earlier, Nauman Aslam, Director General of the Awareness & Prevention (A&P) Division at NAB Headquarters, provided an overview of the significance of observing Anti-Corruption Day and highlighted the A&P Division’s role in raising awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption.

The chairman awarded Merit and Appreciation Certificates among NAB officers in recognition of their exceptional performance in their respective domains.