LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau chairman retired justice Javed Iqbal has defended his organisation against the impression that the country is suffering because of its actions.

“I couldn’t sleep at night when I heard that because of NAB the country’s economy is suffering. This is a wrong impression. NAB held meetings with businessmen of two to three chambers and appointed a director complaint to coordinate with them. But not a single complaint it received during the last four months from any businessman,” he said while addressing at the King Edward Medical University (KEMU) here on Wednesday.

He said NAB’s doors were open for the business community and bureaucracy to redress their grievances. “NAB does not believe in vengeance,” he said and added that the bureau had recovered Rs71 billion directly or indirectly from the corrupt elements during the last 22 months and deposited the amount with the national exchequer.

He said reputable international organisations had appreciated the performance of NAB as its conviction rate was over 70 per cent.

Mr Iqbal said the bureau was going to file applications in accountability courts for early hearing of over 1,200 references pending there (for quite some time).

“NAB has filed 1,230 references worth Rs900bn in accountability courts. For their expeditious disposal, it has decided to file applications in the accountability courts for their early hearing. The judiciary is independent,” he said.He said NAB was committed to eradicating menace of corruption for country’s progress and prosperity. “Corruption has been the root cause of all evils and it hinders development of the country,” he said and appreciated the performance of KEMU and said the varsity had a great reputation not only in Pakistan but across the globe for providing best healthcare professionals.

KEMU Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Masood Gondal briefed the NAB chairman about the century old medical institution and presented a book about the university to Mr Iqbal.

DG NAB Lahore Shehzad Saleem also spoke.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2019