PM tells NAB to clear backlog fast

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to expedite the disposal of pending cases, while emphasising the need for effective measures to assist victims of financial fraud and ensure the swift recovery of their lost funds.

He passed the instructions to the anti-graft watchdog Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmad Butt, who called on him at the Prime Minister's Office.

Butt presented the NAB Performance Report for the years 2023-2024 to the prime minister.

The comprehensive report included detailed information on the recoveries and overall performance of NAB's headquarters and regional offices over the past two years, a statement from the PM Office noted.

The premier commended NAB's role in the national fight against corruption, reaffirming that eliminating corruption and misuse of authority remains one of the government's top priorities.

"The vision of a corruption-free Pakistan will be realized, and NAB will be provided with all necessary resources and facilities to achieve this goal," the prime minister stated.

He also directed the anti-corruption watchdog to expedite the disposal of pending cases and emphasised the need for effective measures to assist victims of financial fraud and ensure swift recovery of their lost funds.

Briefing the prime minister, the NAB chairman highlighted the bureau's recent achievements, noting that over the past two years, the graft buster had recovered billions of rupees in embezzled public funds and retrieved hundreds of acres of illegally occupied state land valued at billions.

According to the report, NAB concluded 700 inquiries, completed 218 investigations, and filed 21 new references during the 2023-2024 period.

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar was also present during the meeting.

PM lauds Bilawal

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised on Monday PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and members of a diplomatic delegation for successfully presenting Pakistan's stance in connection with recent Pakistan-India war during their high-level engagements in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe.

The premier commended the delegation's performance and their efforts in exposing "the recent Indian propaganda" during visits to the US, U.K, and European countries. PM said the delegation represented Pakistan's position with "national spirit" and called the mission a success.

"You have presented Pakistan's case to the world with unity and national commitment and returned victorious," PM Shehbaz told the delegation. From exposing Indian propaganda to defending our position in front of global powers, the premier said, delegation's efforts are being recognized both at home and abroad.