BRT, Malam Jabba Ski Resort cases: There's no govt interference, claims NAB chief

Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) former Justice Javed Iqbal on Monday said that references with respect to Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Malam Jabba Ski Resort cases are ready but the bureau is only waiting for vacation of stay orders.

Addressing a ceremony on International Anti-Corruption Day, the NAB chairman said that corruption investigations into the BRT and Malam Jabba Ski Resort cases have been completed while references against "culprits" are almost ready. He said credit goes to the present government for not interfering in the affairs of NAB. The ceremony was also attended by President Arif Alvi and Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser. The NAB chairman said that the bureau would continue its fight against corruption indiscriminately.

According to him, there is no 'unholy' or 'holy' alliance between his organisation and the government against anyone and the bureau has in fact created unity among opposition parties which vigorously seeking to clip the powers of bureau.

He said corruption is an international problem and no country can claim that it has completely eradicated the menace of corruption. He said NAB has not cared about the status and influence of any accused since 2017. The bureau has set its goal. He urged the nation to help the bureau eradicate the menace of corruption.

He also urged the Parliament to play its role in making and implementing laws. Speculations regarding arrests in the NAB cases should be avoided. The NAB is taking action against people who enjoyed power for 30 to 35 years as well as the incumbent government that came to power only 15 months ago. He added, "as you sow, so shall you reap."

Iqbal said the NAB has so far recovered Rs 382 billion from the corrupt and deposited the amount into national exchequer. He added the NAB has recovered Rs 153 billion from the corrupt in last 25 months. The NAB also has a role in recovering Rs 39 billion from the UK, he further said, adding that as many as 1,261 corruption cases are pending in various accountability courts.

The personalities on NAB's radar or those who are facing NAB inquiries conduct hours-long press conferences as which they level allegations against the NAB. They had better concentrated on their cases and provide evidence to remove charges against them.

He said the government should become a role model to materialize the dream of 'Riyasat-e-Medina'. He further said that discrimination should come to an end while self-accountability should be initiated to materialize the dream of 'Riyasat-e-Medina.'