ISLAMABAD – Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice Javed Iqbal said Sunday that NAB had chalked out an effective national anti-corruption strategy which resulted in excellent performance and recovery of Rs 535 billion during the tenure of present management.
He said that Gilani and Gallup survey indicated that 59 percent people of Pakistan have shown trust upon NAB which is an ample evidence of NAB’s across the board accountability as per law.
Due to NAB’s proactive anti-corruption strategy, NAB’s overall conviction ratio is about 66 percent which is a remarkable achievement in the investigation of White Collar Crimes in the world. The reputed national and international organizations like Transparency International Pakistan, World Economic Forum, Global Peace Canada, PILDAT and Mishal Pakistan have lauded NAB’s efforts to eliminate corruption which is evidence of NAB’s excellent performance, he said in a statement on Sunday.
He said that NAB will continue its official duties as per law despite criticism and without caring any threat or criticism. In an atmosphere of renewed energy, commitment and devotion in conduct of inquiries and investigations against the untouchables, he said it will continue to perform as per law.
The Chairman said that NAB has geared up and rejuvenated to eradicate corruption within all its forms and manifestations. He said that the major focus of NAB is against those involved in corruption and corrupt practices, money laundering, cases of cheating the public at large, willful bank loan defaults, and misuse of authority and embezzlement of state funds.
He said that NAB strongly believes in eradication of corruption and recovering looted money from corrupt people as it is top most priority. In order to make Pakistan corruption free, the fight against corruption is being taken as NAB’s faith of Corruption free Pakistan. The Chairman said that NAB is the focal organization of Pakistan under United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as Pakistan has ratified and is signatory of UNCAC.
NAB summons Shehbaz Sharif
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has reportedly summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif in Rawalpindi metro bus contract scandal.
The PML-N head has been asked to appear before the watchdog on August 24. According to NAB sources, the contract of Rawalpindi metro bus was awarded to the brother of PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal, in which PPRA rules were violated. The contractor, Mustafa Kamal, has also been summoned by NAB on the same date. It is claimed that the contract was given to Kamal on the directions of Shehbaz Sharif as the then Punjab chief minister.
Reports said the NAB, during scrutiny of the record, found a file of the project in which it was mentioned that the contract should be given to Ahsan Iqbal’s brother on the directions of Shehbaz Sharif.
It is to be noted that the PML-N president was earlier asked to appear before the NAB in the same inquiry, but he did not show up. Now the summons have been sent to Shehbaz Sharif’s Model Town residence through CCPO Lahore to ensure his appearance on August 24 to record his statement in the case.