NAB will not allow any corruption in CPEC by Pakistani officers, workers: Chairman
Gwadar Pro
Islamabad: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal (retd) has said that NAB will not allow any corruption by the Pakistani officers and workers involved in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Presiding over a meeting to review NAB’s four years overall performance, NAB Chairman appreciated anti graft watchdog’s excellent performance.
“NAB has signed a memorandum of understanding with China to monitor ongoing projects in Pakistan under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” he said.
Iqbal stressed that corruption free working in CPEC would put Pakistan on the road to prosperity. He maintained that optimum resources were being utilized to eradicate the menace of corruption from the country.
He mentioned that NAB had been made a functioning institution by introducing various new reforms.
Iqbal reminded that the Accountability Courts convicted 1405 accused due to effective prosecution of all the regional bureaus of NAB in collaboration with NAB operations and prosecution division.
It was informed during the meeting that from October 2017 to December 2021, NAB has recovered a total of Pakistani Rs 584 billion directly and indirectly from corrupt elements.
In addition to awareness, prevention and enforcement, the NAB has taken several steps in addition to formulating an effective and comprehensive anti-corruption strategy based on the slogan of Faith of NAB Corruption Free Pakistan and commitment to “Accountability for All”.
At the moment, as many as 1,237 references of corruption are being heard in accountability courts across the country, the value of which is approximately Pakistani Rs 1335.019 million. The overall conviction ratio of NAB in accountability courts was 66.8%.
It was further informed at the meeting that NAB has set up a combined investigation team system to further improve the quality of inquiry and investigation based on solid evidence, documentary evidence and witnesses and to benefit from the collective wisdom of senior NAB supervisory officers.
The NAB has fixed 10 months for expeditious disposal of corruption cases, two months for complaint investigation, 4 months for inquiry and 4 months for investigation.
The NAB has also set up a state-of-the-art forensic science laboratory to facilitate investigations and prosecution.
NAB has set up Pakistan Anti-Corruption academy at NAB headquarters to provide training to investigative officers and prosecutors on modern basis for effective follow up of NAB cases in accountability courts and investigation of white collar crimes.
The NAB, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), has set up a cell to combat money laundering and terror financing.
