Negligible references are against bureaucracy: NAB

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) termed the statement of Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin in which he accused the NAB of causing hurdles for bureaucracy baseless, misleading and contrary to the facts.

The NAB while denying the allegation of Tarin said some 1,273 references having total volume of Rs1,300 billion are under trial in different accountability courts. “Out of which very negligible references are against bureaucracy and such malicious propaganda against the NAB is an attempt to tarnish the image of the NAB and is also aimed at discouraging the bureaucracy,” the NAB said.

The NAB said that bureaucracy is the jugular vein of any country and the NAB not only respects bureaucracy but also acknowledges its services. “NAB Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal has served the country in different capacities including acting chief justice of Pakistan and is quite well versed with the issues of bureaucracy,” the NAB spokesman said.

The spokesman stated that the national anti-corruption strategy devised by the NAB chairman is being acknowledged as most effective and the NAB is a focal organisation under the UN convention against corruption. “The NAB is chairman of the Saarc Anti-corruption Forum and its performance is lauded by reputed national and international organisations like Transparency International Pakistan, World Economic Forum, Global Peace, Canada, PILDAT and MISHAL Pakistan.

As per Gilani and Gallup Survey, 59 per cent people have shown trust in the NAB,” he stated.

The spokesman said the NAB is the only institute in the world which has signed an anti-corruption MoU with China.

Corruption is the mother of all evils and eradication of corruption has become demand of the countrymen.