Internal accountability: NAB introduces measures to check staff conduct

Chairman resolves to continue zero tolerance policy towards corruption

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has an efficient system of responding to complaints of corruption and unprofessional conduct lodged against its employees. An “Internal Accountability Mechanism” has been set up in which all complaints against NAB employees are scrutinised and investigated by qualified intelligence and vigilance experts with the help of senior officers, said a press release. 

In view of the peculiar nature of its mandate, NAB for its operational functions is placed outside the supervision and control of government. It has been continuously guided by oversight of its conduct and operations by the Supreme Court, media and civil society, the statement said.

Drawing upon the court judgments and informed opinions in media, the present NAB management has introduced measures to guard against any unethical and unprofessional conduct. These include evaluation of quantitative and qualitative output of officers and field units, observance of revised and updated SOPs, prescription of timeline for work, introduction of concept of Combined Investigation Teams, periodic performance reviews and case analyses, and Quantified Grading System of performance appraisal.

The combined effect of the above stated measures has ensured that only professionalism and merit prevail in the organisation.

NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, on assumption of charge, undertook a comprehensive review of the prevalent systems and practices in the bureau. He presented his vision that in order to be able to hold others accountable and to judge their conduct; the organisation shall have to put its own act together.

The chairman reiterated his resolve to continue zero tolerance policy against corruption within the organisation. He also encouraged the officers to perform their duties without any fear of negative propaganda.

On the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the weaknesses and loopholes hampering NAB in discharge of its official mandate have been minimised through introduction of a “Monitoring and Evaluation Framework”, the statement concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2015.