ISLAMABAD– The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal on Tuesday dispelled the impression that the accountability watchdog was impeding investments, saying, “the NAB provides protection to people and that’s the reason people settled abroad are sending remittances and business are thriving in the country.”
Addressing a cheque-distribution ceremony in Lahore, the NAB chief reiterated that none of the steps taken by the authority for strengthening the accountability process were wrong, adding that “in fact it was because of the NAB that our exports shot up.”
He called upon naysayers to familiarise themselves with facts before making statements that attempt to tarnish the image of the accountability watchdog.
Iqbal said that the recovery of Rs533 billion by NAB in three years was a historic development, “but still, an editorial in a newspaper claimed the NAB had made no recovery. Next time we will bring in a machine to count notes to substantiate our statement,” he remarked, adding that the NAB would continue to do its job.
He said casting doubts on the working and integrity of the accountability watchdog was contrary to the facts.
Reacting to claims that the “NAB only catches small fish”, Justice (retd) Iqbal said the accountability watchdog had even caught “sharks and crocodiles”. He said that the NAB had appointed a director in Islamabad to resolve complaints of businessmen within 48 hours. “There was no complaint for three months and one was filed in the fourth month, which was a minor and personal one, but still hue and cry is raised that the watchdog is allegedly acting against the business community.”
He said we must be able to differentiate between genuine businessmen and dacoits, adding that “genuine businessmen” had no complaints against the NAB and if there were any, “our doors are open for them.”
Defending the plea bargain mechanism, the NAB chairman said this provision existed in anti-corruption laws in various countries.
He added that a good trade policy was formed after consulting leaders of the chamber of commerce, and cheap gas, electricity and good environment was also needed for investment.
The NAB chairman said there were 1,300 references pending in courts at the moment, including supplementary references. “Not even two per cent of them are against businessmen. How can you say businessmen are suffering?” he asked.
He stressed that the NAB didn’t have authority to jail people as this authority rests with the courts. Iqbal said the NAB does not issue summons to bureaucrats considering their “self-respect”, but they were issued questionnaires.
“I respect politicians, but if witnesses give statement in money laundering cases and the NAB initiates proceedings then that is not injustice,” he added.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal on Tuesday said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and corruption could not go together as the anti-corruption department had been set up to serve the poor and not the rich.
Addressing a ceremony held to distribute cheques worth Rs 900 million among 660 affectees of Toyota Gujranwala Motors scandal at NAB Regional office here, he said that the Bureau was not an issue, but a solution to the issues.
He said that constructive criticism could help us learn about various dimensions for taking action against corruption. But there were always two ways of criticism; so if someone could not project a positive image, he should not depress and deject people by indulging in criticism for the sake of criticism.
He said that some accused persons, after appearing before the Courts hearings in various cases, speak against NAB, adding that negative criticism on NAB by some political leaders could not make any difference as the Bureau in an independent lawful Institution, working to take action against corruption.
Justice Javed Iqbal said that in the past, it was alleged that investors and businessmen were not satisfied with NAB and the investment had been affected by the NAB operations, he added. The chairman said that if the investors were afraid of NAB action, there had not been positive trend in the stock markets and construction sector, as well, besides significant increase in economic reserves in the country.
He said that some elements were asking for amending the NAB laws, but they should read existing NAB laws first. He said an ordinance had also been brought earlier to amend the NAB law, which remained imposed for four months and no major decision was made during that period in the presence of the said ordinance.
However, later that amendment was withdrawn. Those intending to bring an amendment to the NAB law should read the Supreme Court’s decision pertaining to Asfandyar Wali case, he added.
Regarding money laundering, Javed Iqbal said that NAB would definitely continue its proceedings if there would be enough evidence including statements of witnesses in the corruption cases.
He said it was a huge challenge to recover the looted money from the accused, adding that NAB was a people-friendly institution, working to take measures only for checking and curbing corruption and uplift of the country.
He appreciated the performance of NAB Lahore’s combine investigation team and particularly, DG NAB Lahore as owing to their efforts, the first installment of cheques worth Rs900 million were being handed over to 660 affectees of Toyota Gujranwala Motors within 20 months duration.
DG Lahore Shahzad Saleem told that NAB Lahore, since its establishment, had recovered Rs 110 billion from the corrupt elements. But, during the last four years, current the current leadership, it had recovered Rs 73.99 billion, out of which Rs 13.24 billion were recovered through holding Plea Bargain (PB) and Rs 60.74 billion by indirect recovery. The comparative ratio of annual performance of NAB Lahore was recorded as 713 per cent, increasedhe added.
He said that due to NAB Lahore’s efforts, about Rs 800 billion have been saved in the IPPs matter, while more savings were expected in the coming days.
Referring to All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) patron-in-chief’s statement, the DG said due to decrease in IPPs payments, the textile industry was provided with electricity on special tariff, which was expected to increase exports by $8 billion till next year.
Later, the NAB chairman distributed cheques worth Rs 900 million among 660 affectees of Toyota Gujranwala Motors. The affectees also appreciated the efforts of NAB, led by its Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal for recovering their looted money.
