NAB Chairman Lieutenant General (Retd) Nazir Ahmed said that the National Accountability Bureau was playing a significant role in preventing corruption and saving national resources.
He said this while speaking at a special event in connection with Anti-Corruption Day.
The event was attended by NAB’s Deputy Chairman Sohail Nasir, the UNODC representative in Pakistan, and senior NAB officials.
Addressing the occasion, NAB Chairman emphasized that corruption, in any form, is the main obstacle to sustainable development and economic prosperity. He stated that NAB is not only committed to combating corruption but has also been exemplary in protecting national resources, recovering and returning looted public money. In just one year, NAB has set a record by recovering 3.8 trillion Pakistani rupees. Additionally, NAB has resolved 22,000 complaints, and as a result of reforms, the number of false complaints has decreased significantly—from 4,000 per month to just 400. Over 18,000 affected individuals have been reimbursed their looted money.
The Chairman highlighted that 65% of the country’s population is under the age of 30, and these young people represent the future of the nation. A comprehensive plan has been developed to involve them in the anti-corruption process. An awareness program will be launched with the collaboration of educational and research institutions, as well as stakeholders. He also mentioned the introduction of a Visitors Feedback System at NAB, which helps not only to curb corruption but also in improving the organization’s overall performance.
NAB Chairman further stated that NAB is working in collaboration with NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) to address issues in the power sector, with anticipated positive outcomes.
He urged NAB officers to work with full dedication and enthusiasm to provide relief to those affected in the real estate sector.
The Chairman also announced that NAB has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 10 countries to expedite the resolution of corruption cases. He emphasized the need for UNODC’s assistance in matters related to second residency, immigration investment, and cryptocurrency and investment abroad.
He urged the activation of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) to ensure timely sharing of information related to corruption cases.
Referring to the institution’s performance, the Chairman stated that NAB has directly and indirectly recovered 6.1 trillion rupees since its establishment, despite having been allocated only a budget of 56 billion rupees.
