Business wins NAB’s new friendly face restores trust, ends harassment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s business community has expressed satisfaction with the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) new business-friendly approach which, in consultation with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has led to the closure of 10 cases and resolution of several complaints against businessmen.

Ahmed Chinoy, FPCCI’s focal person for NAB-related matters, told The News that since the introduction of revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at protecting businesses from harassment, around 12 cases have been brought forward by various businesspeople.

“As a result of our engagement with NAB authorities, 10 cases of different nature have been resolved, while two remain pending due to technical reasons,” Chinoy said. He further disclosed that several ongoing inquiries were personally reviewed by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed Butt.

“The chairman listened patiently to the concerns and directed officials to ensure fair and transparent inquiries,” Chinoy added.

According to Chinoy, NAB’s new approach has significantly improved its image within the business community. The fear of injustice and high-handedness that once surrounded NAB has largely diminished. Trust in the institution is being restored, and businesses now feel more comfortable engaging with NAB, he said.

“This positive shift has helped curb the flight of capital and encouraged fresh investments in Pakistan,” he noted.

Chinoy also highlighted that NAB officers are now more accessible, allowing businesspeople to directly approach them without fear. The NAB chairman has visited Karachi multiple times over the past year and remains in active communication with the business community, further strengthening confidence in the Bureau.

In early 2024, NAB introduced new SOPs for cases related to the business community, following consultations with top business executives. This initiative, spearheaded by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed Butt, was aimed at addressing the past grievances and ensuring a more facilitative approach for business community.

For years, the business community had faced harassment due to NAB’s aggressive stance, which led to fabricated cases and false charges against leading businessmen. This, Chinoy admitted, resulted in capital flight, a trust deficit in government institutions and a slowdown in economic growth. He said the NAB’s leadership assured us that the Bureau’s focus is now on facilitating fair business practices rather than creating unnecessary hurdles.

As part of these reforms, NAB has established facilitation centers in various regional offices, including Karachi, to provide businesspeople with a professional and cooperative environment instead of the traditional intimidating atmosphere. “The transformation of NAB into a business-friendly institution is a welcome development. We at FPCCI appreciate the chairman’s commitment to justice and fair play, which has strengthened confidence in Pakistan’s investment climate,” Chinoy concluded.