NAB KP files 520 references, conducts 1800 inquiries, 740 investigations since inception: DG

PESHAWAR: National Accountability, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has received 46,000 complaints and conducted 1800 inquiries and 740 investigation, showing 70 percent conviction since its inception, said Director General NAB KP Farmanullah Khan here on Monday.

Addressing a seminar on “Transparency and Good Governance for Better Service Delivery” in connection with Anti-Corruption Day at Governor House he said the Bureau has filed 520 References against people involved in corrupt practices in both public and private sectors and successfully defended the references in the accountability courts as its conviction rate remains 70 percent.

He said NAB has recovered so far more than Rs. 297 billion and added the Transparency International through it recent survey 2017, acknowledge improvement as Pakistan score 32pc as compared to 22pc in 1995.

Moreover, Survey reports conducted by Gallup and Gilani shown 59% public confidence on NAB. The World Economic Forum also lauded the efforts of NAB.

He said he was delighted to see the Vice chancellors and the senior officers of higher education making this event a memorable as they have effective role in eradicating corruption from society by education the country’s young lot.

“I believe that each and every person present here is determined to eradicate and fight against the curse of corruption. I have no hesitation to say that success in fighting against Corruption cannot be achieved without your support, warm response and due appreciation,” he observed.

Referring to importance of the Day, the NAB DG said that “International Anti-Corruption Day” signifies global efforts to combat corruption and create an opportunity to generate public awareness and commitment to curb corruption, taking united stand and mutual assistance by all the nations of the world.

NAB (KP) is celebrating International Anti-Corruption week by conducting various Seminars, Walks, Declamation contest etc and todays’ Seminar is part of these activities.

“Corruption is a menace that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines development and the rule of law, leads to violations of human rights, erodes quality of life, distorts markets and ultimately affects the economy and the people of the country.

NAB under the visionary command and able leadership of Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal has rejuvenated this national institution and vigorously implementing his Policy of “Accountability for All” and “Focus on Cases not Faces”.

In the year 2004 NAB came up with National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) adopting a three pronged strategic approach of Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement against corruption and corrupt practices.

If Governance is improved, corruption is decreased and vice-versa. Further, in every organization normally there are 03 categories of people, 15-20pc fall in white category.

They, in every situation never fall or become prey to corrupt practice. Similarly, almost the same percentage fall in the black category, these are the people indulge themselves in corruption by all means whatever the system is.

The rest and majority of people i.e. 60 to 70pc are falls in grey category, they go with the system. If the system is corrupt they side with black otherwise they go with white.

So we have to focus on the improvement of system and that can only be possible through Good Governance. When the system is improved, only small percentage of people of black category remains who will be dealt by NAB and other Anti-Corruption agencies through enforcement and prosecution.

He also underlined the need for joining hands to eradicate corruption from our Country for our future generations.

The menace of Corruption has penetrated its roots in our esteemed universities and other educational institutions, he said urging the governor to take immediate steps and measures to eradicate Corruption from our Universities.

He hoped governor will overcome with this phenomenon as he has the concern in this regard, the vision and the will.