NAB working hard to nab corrupt elements: chairman Javed Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal said that NAB is a focal department under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and Pakistan is signatory of UNCAC convention. “NAB has recovered Rs150 billion looted money during 2019 and working hard to nab corrupt elements across the board in order to bring them to justice,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

The NAB chairman said due to NAB’s across the road actions against corrupt elements as compared to previous year 2018, NAB during 2019 received 463,845 complaints, disposed of 450,546 complaints and 13,299 complaints are under process which will be disposed of during 2020 on merit as per law.

He said that NAB authorised 15,056 complaint verifications in 2019, 14,286 complaint verifications have been completed in 2019 and remaining 770 complaint verification will be completed during 2020 as per law. NAB, during 2019, authorised 9,352 inquiries and 8,493 inquiries have been completed and 859 inquiries are under process which will be completed in 2020. Similarly, NAB authorised 4,406 investigations in 2019 and completed 4071 investigations and remaining 355 investigations will be completed in 2020 as per law.

He said that NAB has filed 3,676 corruption references in various accountability courts since its inception and currently 1,275 corruption references are subju dice in 25 respected accountability courts of the country. He said that it is heartening to note that country's apex anti-corruption organisation NAB is a role model not only for the country but also for entire Saarc countries. NAB is focal department under the United Nations Convention against corruption (UNCAC) and Pakistan is signatory of UNCAC convention owing to its outstanding performance. He said that the performance of NAB has been lauded by Saarc countries, including India, and due to this reason, NAB had been unanimously elected as chairman of Saarc Anti-Corruption Forum which is a great achievement of Pakistan due to NAB’s efforts.

Moreover, Pakistan and China had inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for eradication of corruption. Pakistan and China would jointly work for ensuring transparency in China Pakistan economic coordination (CPEC) projects. The reports of renowned national and international organisations, like Pildat, Mishal Pakistan, Transparency International and World Economic Forum also confirms excellent performance of NAB.

Moreover, Gillani and Gallop Survey have indicated that 59 per cent people of Pakistan have shown confidence upon NAB due to its visible performance and NAB strongly believes in actions louder than words.

He said that NAB is an apex anti-corruption organisation of Pakistan which has been rejuvenated and its procedures were perfected besides transforming NAB into a vibrant and reputable organisation.

He said that during 2019, the initiatives taken by the present management of NAB for eradication of corruption and to nab corrupt especially to aware people and youth in universities/colleges at large about the ill effects of corruption have proved very successful in 2019 which will continue in 2020 as per law.

He said that NAB’s faith is corruption free Pakistan which is in line with its national anti-corruption strategy of Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement to nab corrupt elements

and recovered from them looted money and to return to affectees at their doorsteps.

He said that NAB officers are working hard with complete dedication, commitment and determination to eradicate corruption to metalize the dream of corruption free Pakistan. He directed all DGs of NAB to complete all complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations on the basis of solid evidence within the stipulated time frame strictly on merit as per law