ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal Thursday said that NAB is committed to eradicating of corruption as it is vital for Pakistan’s prosperity.
Addressing as a chief guest at a cheque distribution ceremony at NAB headquarters, the chairman said that NAB is determined to return the looted money to affectees of different housing and cooperative societies, adding that the bureau, during the past seven months, has recovered Rs2.1 billion from the corrupt and distributed it among the affectees of different societies which is a record achievement.
The chairman said that the year 2017 can be called a year of re-invigoration of NAB as they have moved with new zeal and efforts. “Through detailed introspection and analysis of organisational weaknesses, the overhaul of procedures and processes, all pillars of the organisation i.e. operations, prosecution, human resource development and awareness and prevention have been reactivated.”
The Justice (r) Javed Iqbal also said that a new concept of “Combined Investigation Team” (CIT) has been introduced in NAB for a fair, transparent and unbiased inquiry/ investigations as per law. The new system of CIT is lending quality in work and performance of NAB officers due to which the overall conviction ratio of NAB has increased to 77 per cent, which is one of the best conviction ratios by any investigation agency of the world, he added.
The chairman also said that NAB has fixed a 10-month time limit for logical disposal of cases, which can be broken down into two months for complaint verification, four months for inquiry and amp and four months for investigation.
Moreover, the NAB chairman also said that Transparency International has rated Pakistan in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) at 116 from 175, which is a great achievement for Pakistan due to NAB’s efforts. Similarly, PILDAT has indicated that 42 per cent people have confidence in NAB as compared to FIA and police.