NAB takes notice of illegal appointments in KPEC

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Thursday took notice of a news item appearing in daily ‘Jang’ about alleged illegal appointments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission (KPEC) while directing the DG KP NAB for complaint verification and submission of report to him.

Besides, the NAB chairman also took notice of the illegal services rendered by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to different group of companies and directed for the complaint verification against the NBP officials.

Meanwhile, Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal chaired a meeting at the NAB headquarters to review the performance of operation and prosecution divisions of the NAB and especially mega corruption cases.

Immediately after assumption of his responsibilities as NAB chairman in October last year, he had ordered taking 179 mega corruption cases to logical conclusion as per law. The meeting was told that NAB had made significant progress and as many as 101 corruption references had been filed in relevant accountability courts and out of those cases, 179 mega corruption cases and legal proceedings are continuing in the respective accountability courts as per law.

To date, 19 inquiries and 23 investigations are being conducted in the NAB. Likewise, 36 cases have already been disposed of to their logical conclusion. Addressing the meeting, NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said that NAB is committed to eradicating corruption across-the-board by adopting "Accountability for All" policy so that corrupt should be brought to justice. He asked the Operation and Prosecution Wings of NAB to further improve the quality of corruption references and include references of law, various decisions of similar natures, etc.

He appreciated the performance of the Operation and Prosecution Wings of NAB and hoped that they will continue to pull up their responsibilities with the best of their abilities as per law. “On the basis of law and solid evidence, the references filed in respective accountability courts would be successful and the conviction ratio of 76 of NAB cases will be enhanced in the days to come,” he said.

The regional DGs were directed to conclude pending inquiries and investigations within stipulated time frame of ten months besides mega corruption cases. The chairman said the most important issue to tackle is elimination of corruption by sticking to merit. He directed NAB officers to extend due respect to all accused and use their authority as per law.