ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday formed a six-member committee for the improvement of the economy and to address the reservations of the business community and their “valid complaints”.
The committee includes SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik, Pakistan Federation of Chamber and Industry President Daro Khan Achakzai, Bank Al-Falah former president Atif Bajwa, Lahore Chamber and Industry President Anjum Nisar, Millat Tractors Chairman Sikandar Mustafa Khan and Citizens-Police Liaison Committee Karachi’s former chief Jamil Yousuf.
In a press release, the accountability watchdog said that the committee has been formed after consultation with NAB’s executive board using the powers granted to it by Section 33(C) of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999.
The committee will forward recommendations for the solution of traders’ issues to NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal after thorough review.
These recommendations will be thoroughly reviewed by a three-member committee — consisting of the NAB deputy chairman, NAB prosecutor general of accountability and DG operations NAB — which will then present its final recommendations to the NAB chairman.
A decision will be taken on the proposals “without any delay and in accordance with the law”, the NAB press release said.
The business community committee will also be able to present its requests directly to the NAB chairman and “a legal solution will be devised for every issue through mutual understanding”, it added.
However, the handout stated that the decision taken by the NAB chairman will be “final” during the process and complaints regarding the references that have already been filed will not be admissible.
“The status of the aforesaid committee of the business community will only be consultative and there will be no prohibition on the use of authority legally granted to NAB,” the press release added as a proviso.
It said that NAB “immensely respects” the business community and every step possible will be taken for the country’s prosperity and improvement of the economy.
“NAB’s first and last association is only with the state of Pakistan and its prosperity,” the statement concluded.
Earlier on October 6, the NAB chairman had categorically rebutted some of the reservations of the business community during a press conference held in Islamabad.
“Not merely a single institution responsible for the economic crisis. We are neither without reins nor wholly independent, it will be difficult to remain silent under the fire of criticism. We will not let businessmen get demoralise as we aim for eradication of corruption only,” the bureau’s chief said.
“Some of the traders’ impressions regarding NAB are unreasonable and I negate some of the business community’s concerns about the bureau,” he stated, adding that the bureau instead has been striving to facilitate the business community with better environment to operate in.
“Traders expressed reservations over NAB during their meeting with the Prime Minister [Imran Khan] and Chief of the Army Staff [General Qamar Javed Bajwa],” he said.
“The bureau will never take unfriendly steps for businessmen. NAB does not formulate business policies,” he added.
