NAB (National Accountability Bureau Pakistan) is a government organization in Pakistan that is responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption and financial crimes. It was established in 1999 with the aim of eliminating corruption and promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions.
NAB Pakistan
NAB operates independently under the authority of the Pakistan Constitution and is headed by a Chairman who is appointed by the President of Pakistan. Its headquarters are located in Islamabad, with regional offices in all the provinces of Pakistan.
NAB has the power to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption, embezzlement, fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes committed by public officials, politicians, and private individuals. It is also responsible for conducting inquiries and investigations into allegations of corruption and financial irregularities in public institutions.
Moreover, National Accountability Bureau has been involved in several high-profile cases in Pakistan, including investigations into corruption allegations against politicians and public officials. However, it has also faced criticism for alleged political bias and selective accountability.
List of NAB Chairmans
Here is a list of NAB Chairmen who have served in the position since the establishment of NAB in 1999:
- Lt. Gen. Amjad Hussain (Retd.) (1999-2000)
- Gen. Khalid Maqbool (Retd.) (2000-2001)
- Lt. Gen. Munir Hafeez (Retd.) (2001-2003)
- Lt. Gen. Shahid Aziz (Retd.) (2003-2005)
- Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Khalid Maqbool (2005-2007)
- Justice (Retd.) Javed Iqbal (2007-2009)
- Naveed Ahsan (2009-2011)
- Admiral (Retd.) Fasih Bokhari (2011-2013)
- Qamar Zaman Chaudhry (2013-2017)
- Justice (Retd.) Javed Iqbal (2017-2021)
- Mirza Muhammad Afzal (acting Chairman) (2021)
- Justice (Retd.) Sheikh Azmat Saeed (2021-2022)
- Aftab Sultan (2022-2023)
- Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt 4th March 2023 (Continue)
List of famous NAB Cases
Here are some of the famous NAB cases in Pakistan:
These cases involve allegations of corruption, money laundering, embezzlement, fraud, and misuse of authority by public officials, politicians, and private individuals. Some of these cases have resulted in convictions and imprisonment of the accused, while others are still under investigation or in court proceedings.
- Panama Papers case: The NAB investigated the case after the Panama Papers leak, which revealed offshore companies and assets of several Pakistani politicians, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He was later disqualified from holding public office by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
- Rental Power Projects case: The NAB investigated the alleged corruption in the rental power projects initiated by the government to overcome the energy crisis in the country. Several politicians and businessmen were arrested and prosecuted in the case.
- Ashiana Housing Scheme case: The NAB investigated the alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for the Ashiana Housing Scheme in Lahore. Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif, and other government officials were arrested and prosecuted in the case.
- Modaraba scam case: The NAB investigated the alleged fraud committed by a network of companies that promised high returns to investors through Islamic investment schemes. The scam involved billions of rupees, and several people were arrested and prosecuted in the case.
- Hajj corruption case: The NAB investigated the alleged corruption in the Hajj pilgrimage arrangements in 2010. The case involved the embezzlement of funds and irregularities in the selection of Hajj pilgrims.
- SGS case: The NAB investigated the alleged corruption in the award of a contract to Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) for the inspection of imported goods at Pakistani ports. Several government officials and businessmen were arrested and prosecuted in the case.
- NICL case: The NAB investigated the alleged corruption in the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL), which involved the purchase of land at exorbitant prices. Several politicians and government officials were arrested and prosecuted in the case.
Corruption in NAB
Like any other organization, NAB has also faced allegations of corruption by its own employees. NAB has taken action against some of its employees who have been found involved in corrupt practices.
NAB has a code of conduct and ethics that outlines the standards of behavior and responsibilities of its employees. It also has a complaint cell where individuals can report any instances of misconduct or corruption by NAB employees. NAB also has an internal accountability mechanism to investigate and take disciplinary action against its employees if they are found to have engaged in corrupt practices.
In recent years, there have been reports of corruption allegations against some NAB officials, and the organization has taken action against such individuals by suspending or dismissing them from their positions. NAB has emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in its operations and has stated that it will not tolerate any corruption or illegal activities by its employees.
Here are a few examples:
- In 2019, NAB arrested one of its own officials, Muhammad Rafique, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 10 million from a suspect in a corruption case.
- In 2020, NAB arrested a former Deputy Director, Naveed Ahmed, for allegedly embezzling Rs. 600 million from the Bureau’s Lahore office.
- In 2021, NAB dismissed three officials from its Karachi office for allegedly being involved in corruption and misconduct.
NAB has a strict code of conduct and ethics, and it claims to take prompt and strict action against any employee found involved in corrupt practices. However, like any other organization, it is not immune to corruption and it is important for NAB to maintain transparency and accountability to avoid such incidents in the future.
NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal Scandal
In May 2021, a controversy arose when a video was released by a private news channel in Pakistan that alleged that the then NAB Chairman, Justice (Retd.) Javed Iqbal was involved in inappropriate behavior with a woman. The video showed a woman claiming that the NAB chairman had summoned her to his office and made inappropriate advances toward her, promising to help her with a case in exchange for sexual favors.
Justice (Retd.) Javed Iqbal denied the allegations and termed the video as fake, fabricated, and a conspiracy against him. He stated that the woman in the video was a blackmailer who was attempting to defame him and the NAB. He also claimed that he had never met the woman in question and that the video was a result of a smear campaign against him.
The controversy sparked public debate and criticism of the NAB Chairman, with some calling for an independent inquiry into the matter. In response, the government of Pakistan constituted a two-member inquiry committee to investigate the allegations against the NAB Chairman. The committee submitted its report in June 2021, which cleared Justice (Retd.) Javed Iqbal of all charges, stating that the video was fake and had been doctored.
Justice (Retd.) Javed Iqbal continued to serve as the NAB Chairman until his retirement in October 2021.
NAB Recoveries of Corruption Money
Since its establishment in 1999, NAB has recovered billions of rupees from individuals and organizations involved in corruption and financial crimes in Pakistan. The recovered amount includes money in local and foreign currencies, as well as assets such as properties, vehicles, and other valuables.
According to NAB’s annual reports, in the fiscal year 2020-21 alone, NAB recovered around Rs. 23 billion from corrupt individuals and organizations. This includes Rs. 10.8 billion in cash and Rs. 12.2 billion worth of properties, vehicles, and other assets.
NAB’s efforts to recover corruption money are an important step towards promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions and ensuring that the perpetrators of financial crimes are held accountable. However, some critics have argued that NAB’s methods and processes for investigating and prosecuting cases are not always transparent and fair and that it has sometimes been accused of being selective in its approach to accountability.