Corruption is the mother of all evils as it undermines development and rule of law. Corruption not only causes delays in the early completion of development projects but also causes huge losses to national exchequer.
NAB under the leadership of Mr. Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB has chalked out a comprehensive National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) for eradication of corruption and corrupt practices throughout the country. NAB has prosecuted corrupts and has recovered over Rs. 4.5 billion of looted public money in the last one year bringing the total recovery to date to Rs. 264.4 billion.
The allocation to NAB for its working since creation is Rs. 11.8 billion, which is only 4.4% of recoveries made by NAB. The numbers of applications received in 2014 were 40077 which is double the number of 19900 received in 2013. The increase in applications to NAB is reflective of people’s confidence in our work. The litmus test of the efficiency and effectiveness of NAB’s efforts lies in the number of cases processed. NAB on the directions of Mr. Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB has been rejuvenated / reinvigorated.
In terms of inquiries, NAB has completed 585 inquiries during the year 2014 as compared to 243 during 2013. Similarly as many as 188 investigations were concluded in 2014 as compare to 129 in 2013. As regards, the references filed in respective Accountability Courts, in 2014, NAB has filed 208 references as compared to 135 during 2013. It is in this context that PILDAT in its latest report has rated NAB’s performance at 42 % based on public survey. This compares quite favorably to 29% public confidence in Police and 26% in Government officers working. The rate of success of NAB’s prosecution work in all courts is approximately 70%. The recent reports of Transparency International also rated Pakistan in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 175 to 126 which is a great achievement for Pakistan due to NAB’s efforts.
NAB has filed 6 references in the Rs 22 billion Modarba Scam and recovered Rs. One billion and 73 Crore from Modaraba Scam besides properties and vehicles. NAB has so arrested 32 accused persons in this case.
NAB has also filed 8 references in Rental Power Project cases in the respective Accountability Courts.
In line with Chairman NAB’s firm resolve and commitment to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices from the country, NAB and SECP have created a Joint Task Force comprising of senior level officers of NAB and SECP in order to work expeditiously on the corruption cases referred by SECP to NAB.
NAB has proposed Ministry of Law and Justice that Whistle Blowing Protection Act is imperative for the country under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), legislation on Whistle Blowing is an obligation on Pakistan. The Prime Minister has approved Whistle Blower Protection Bill which has sent to Cabinet Division for placing before the Federal Cabinet for further necessary action. On the directions of Chairman NAB, NAB’s newly recruited 110 Investigation Officers are being trained at Police Training College Sihala on modern lines. NAB has also planned establishment of NAB’s Anti-Corruption Academy at Islamabad for capacity building of NAB officers/Officials on the pattern of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy.
