ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal has taken notice of alleged unlawful interventions by some officers of the bureau in investigations against corrupt individuals and has warned of strict consequences, it was learnt reliably.
Taking cognizance of the issue, NAB chairman, in a letter to all director generals of the regions, has categorically declared that strict action will be taken in accordance with law against the officers found asserting influence or pressure in the on-going inquiry or investigation process.
According to the letter, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today, senior officers from NAB headquarter and regions were found allegedly involved in influencing the on-going cases, upon which the bureau has directed all the officers to work within the given mandate and to ensure rule of law.
“It is to convey that the NAB chairman has taken a serious view of unlawful/illegal interventions of senior NAB officers from NAB HQ (headquarter) and regions in on-going cases at any stage in any manner. It is also directed that whosoever if found divulging influence/pressure for any reasons/motives will be dealt with strictly in accordance with law,” said the letter.
Sources said that some federal and provincial ministers were allegedly using NAB officers to influence the investigation against them. They said that since NAB has tightened the noose around the ruling elite including former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, federal and provincial ministers and some influential bureaucrats, the ruling elite is leaving no stone unturned to save their skin from possible arrest or action.
The ruling elite is allegedly advising its blue-eyed officials in NAB to try to avoid serious action against them.
It is worth mentioning that the anti-graft watchdog has started the investigation against 435 Pakistani nationals who have registered and owned offshore companies at Panama and British Virgin Islands (BVI).
Currently, NAB is prosecuting 1,138 cases involving about Rs900 billion. Similarly, the bureau has been probing the wealth of Sharif family including ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz and Kulsoom Nawaz. It has also been probing Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister Anusha Rehman, and Federal Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique in Ashiyana Housing Scheme scam.
Likewise, NAB has also launched an inquiry against Fawad Hassan Fawad for having no source of income to justify assets of over Rs12 billion.
Moreover, NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal had ordered an extensive investigation into the alleged corruption in at least 56 companies functioning under the Punjab government. The chairman issued the orders after taking notice of corruption cases and unlawful appointments in 56 public limited companies working under the Punjab government of PML-N.
