NAB’s unprecedented performance; only institution recovering national wealth of over Rs 95 billion
Instead of demolishing, we must refine and make best use of public institutions
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan in being the only institution that succeeded in recovering huge sum of over Rs 95 billion of looted national wealth.
“NAB is our institution created out of our (public) money; we should refine and make best use of our institutions instead of demolishing them”.
This was stated by former legal consultant of the NAB Sahibzada Muzaffar Ali while speaking at a forum under aegis of Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW).
He said that it is, perhaps, the only institution since independence, which succeeded in recovering such a large sum of looted money.
He vindicated case of NAB underscoring the point to make to it more efficient and potent. Muzaffar Ali , who worked for about five years with NAB, gives valuable insight into working and significance of the Bureau.
“I believe we must be objective and honest while making judgments about our national institutions. One should impartially look into the merits and demerits, achievements and failures.
He opined that there is always room for improvement. But, we should also look at empirical evidence; it is the only agency since 1947 which recovered huge sum of over Rs 90 billion. Loopholes can be plugged. Moreover, NAB has also restructured itself to international standards and procedures. It can be made more effective an effective and transparent anticorruption agency in order to meet the challenges of the future.
Muzaffar Ali said a policeman or FIA official couldn’t dare to book a person involved in bungling of billions of rupees. Or political figures involved in loan default are beyond control and reach of bankers or law enforcement personnel.
NAB has the credit of prosecuting big fish. If we look at the record, we’ll find large number of high profile court convictions of influential politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen. This has no parallel in the anticorruption history of Pakistan.
Why should we summarily dismiss and dismantle the organization created over the years at large public expense, asked President of PEW Dr Murtaza Mughal in his address. He held that the country needs an independent investigating agency. “After all, it is in the interest of the public to overhaul and refine the institutions instead of winding them up.”
Dr Murtaza said business and economy can only nurture in an environment based on fair play and free from coercive tactics and corruption.
He remarked that against widely perceived notion of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as a tool for victimizing and twisting the arms of opponents, some notable legal experts believed that the Bureau holds great promise in ensuring fairplay and eradicating corruption.
NAB is Pakistan’s apex anti-corruption organization. It is charged with the responsibility of elimination of corruption through a holistic approach of awareness, prevention and enforcement. With headquarters at Islamabad, NAB has nationwide network spanning to all four provinces.
