LAHORE– Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice Javed Iqbal Thursday participated as chief guest in a ceremony held at NAB Lahore to hand over cheques worth Rs730 Million among 1434 affectees of Grand Avenue Housing Society. Director General NAB Lahore welcomed him in the ceremony.
While addressing the ceremony, Justice Javed Iqbal termed NAB Lahore actions as admirable and fascinating under the assiduous command of DG NAB which has massively contributed in the overall performance of NAB.
He referred NAB Lahore’s recent speedy plea bargain amounting to Rs2.26 Billion in Grand Avenue Housing Society scam as remarkable. He further saidthat NAB Lahore has disbursed billions of rupees among thousands of affectees and concerned departments.
When talking about Plea Bargain (PB) law, he stated that PB is usually criticized by different circles without knowing the fact that NAB holds plea bargainas per law. He further informed that NAB has never forced any accused to hold PB with the Bureau.
He said that when criticizing PB law, it should be noted that the same is being effectively practiced in different European Nations, as well. He continued by saying that where affectees are not provided with cash, they are facilitated with plots and houses.
Justice Javed Iqbal further stated that each and every Parliamentarian is respectable to NAB, whereas, NAB never responded to the criticism leveled by any Parliamentarian as the motherland was once created by politicians and its destiny still rests into their hands.
He further validated that NAB’s any action won’t be against law and the Bureau doesn’t believe in hurting sentiments. NAB is bound to work while restricting itself under lawful ambit, while, Parliament is mandated with introducing amendments to constitution.
Talking over proposed amendment to NAB ordinance, he said that if revision to Nab Ordinance facilitates the accused ones; then such amendment is useless but the modification of law should help the Institution to build its confidence.
Chairman NAB further showed his commitment that the accountability process will continue unless every deserving individual gets his right.
NAB would welcome constructive criticism in this regard but exact situation of the matter must be primarily checked from NAB, as per law. He said, merely lamenting NAB won’t help to stop NAB from taking further initiatives.
He further said that if we stood against corruption then criticism is not out of our expectations. While defending the undue criticism over NAB, he stated that the graft buster has been alleged for every wrong except spreading corona but NAB considers to continue its work what comes may, while remaining within law.
When talking about NAB cases, he stated that it is generally said that NAB doesn’t get its cases decided early but in reality, NAB has no right to decide cases itself while the same authority rests with hon’ble Courts. NAB completes its duty by filing cases without causing any delay.
The delay in deciding NAB cases is caused by lack of Accountability Courts (AC) which is also noted by hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) who ordered for increasing number of ACs.
DG NAB Lahore also spoke to the affectees in the ceremony. He said that under the dynamic leadership of Chairman NAB, the regional Bureau has delivered at maximum by holding PB worth Rs14 Billion; moreover, during this 4 years period, a sum of Rs60.66 Billion have been recovered as indirect recovery. He said, NAB Lahore’s prosecution wing has filed 206 References in Accountability Courts during this tenure.
The DG further stated that if NAB Lahore’s four years collective performance is reviewed, the data reveals that the regional Bureau worked over cases pertaining to Rs134 billion amounts, whereas, the budged consumed by NAB Lahore was merely Rs 2Billion.
He also expressed that under the incumbent leadership the communal performance of NAB Lahore has shown historical 700 percent annual increase for which the officers and staff of NAB Lahore deserves appreciation.
While concluding the ceremony, Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB gave away Rs730M cheques among affectees of Grand Avenue Housing Society. The affectees thanked the Chairman NAB and the NAB Lahore for their efforts.— PRESS RELEASE
