‘Govt alone not responsible for making Madina State’

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal Friday said that State of Madina is a dream and to achieve the goal all should work with dedication and should prefer national interests on personal interests.

He said that it is not the responsibility of government alone to establish State of Madina rather “we all should shoulder our responsibilities in this regard.” “We should work hard for achieving the goal of making Madina State,” he said while addressing a seminar on role of youth in eradicating corruption, at Fatima Jinnah University, Rawalpindi on Friday.

The NAB chairman said that the Bureau is committed to eradicating the menace of corruption by pursuing the policy of accountability for all indiscriminately and if accountability is crime, NAB will continue committing such crime for making Pakistan corruption-free. “Our mission is only betterment of the country and if this is a crime, we will continue committing this crime,” he said.

Justice (R) Javed Iqbal said despite millions of budget anti-rabies vaccine is not available. “If asking question is crime, we will continue committing this crime,” he said.

He said NAB has already set it goal and indiscriminate actions against the corrupt would continue. “The NAB only considers cases not faces,” he said. He asked the new generation to help NAB in eradicating corruption for making the country corruption-free.

He said dreams could come into reality by sheer hard work and bright future of students is linked with the bright future of the country. “The NAB has so far deposited Rs328 billion to national exchequer, which is a record success,” he said.

He said the NAB wanted to enhance awareness about menace of corruption among the people and NAB also wanted to play positive role in this regard and time is not far when Pakistan will be included in developed countries.

NAB chairman said, “We should work for self-accountability and eradication of corruption. “A few families have become rich by looting country’s wealth. Looted wealth would be taken back from them,” he said.

He said the NAB has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Higher Education Commission for establishing over 55,000 character building societies in different schools, colleges and universities. “Such societies exist at district and tehsil level,” he said.

The NAB chairman said corruption has made unmatched progress in the country and surgery is needed to eradicate the menace. “The NAB is performing its duties without caring about any intimidation and threats. Corruption has put country’s economy on verge of destruction,” he said.

Justice (R) Javed Iqbal said Qauid-i-Azam is also pinpointed corruption and nepotism in his address but we failed to take measures for its prevention in past.

He said eradication of corruption is first and last goal and the NAB can’t deal with 70-year old menace on its own. “We all should play our role in ensuring self-accountability, this will help eradicating corruption,” he said.

As a NAB chairman, he said reforms have already been initiated in Bureau and positive results have already started pouring in.” Right persons have been appointed in NAB on merit,” he said.

He said the country can only progress if nepotism is avoided and merit is promoted. “Pakistan will last forever and ups and downs come. Country should have such light which could become basis of progress,” he said.

Justice (R) Javed Iqbal said the NAB is sincere and faithful to Pakistan and paying the price for sincerity with the country. “Accountability is unmatched during this era as comparing to last 70 years,” he said.

The NAB chairman said he did not want personal promotion but only is paying the price of affiliation with the country. “Our honour and dignity is with country. Pakistan has given us much. We are duty bound to make the country prosperous. Financial position of country is not good, however, going towards betterment.

He said some people criticize NAB and he welcomes positive and constructive criticism. He assured business community that nobody will hurt them while the accountability of the owners of housing societies will be ensured.

He said the NAB has recovered Rs153 billion from the corrupt and deposited in national exchequer in last 25 months. He said he has hopes from new generation and Pakistan will exist forever.

He asked the students to serve parents and teaches as this will ensure their success and the NAB always played its role in resolving problems of the students.