ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice expressed concern over the apparent lack of effective action in cases involving mega corruption and emphasised that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was established primarily to curb major corruption and safeguard public resources.
The committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Friday reviewed the performance of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), institutional reforms and the existing accountability framework, with particular focus on mega corruption, effective accountability, protection of citizens’ rights and institutional efficiency.
During the briefing, the Committee stressed that NAB should remain focused on mega corruption and high-value cases, while comparatively smaller cases should appropriately be dealt with by institutions such as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), provincial Anti-Corruption Establishments and other competent agencies, according to their respective mandates.
The Committee also questioned the apparent absence of accountability proceedings involving institutions such as the Federal Board of Revenue, Police and Customs, stressing that accountability must be applied fairly and uniformly across all public institutions.
The Committee was briefed on the legislative amendments introduced in the accountability framework, including the PKR 500 million monetary threshold for NAB’s jurisdiction. The Committee noted that the threshold had been introduced by Parliament following concerns regarding the manner in which NAB had exercised its powers in the past. The Chairman NAB informed the committee that the Bureau now considered it appropriate to seek a review of the threshold so that public office holders and government officers involved in corruption below PKR 500 million could also be brought within an effective accountability mechanism.
The Committee, however, emphasised that the issue should be viewed within the broader framework of institutional mandates and effective accountability, with NAB focusing its resources and attention on mega corruption cases, while matters falling outside its jurisdiction should be effectively pursued by the relevant accountability and investigative agencies.
The Committee also raised the issue of false, frivolous and politically motivated complaints and questioned the apparent lack of visible action against those responsible. The Chairman NAB informed the Committee that mechanisms had been introduced to prevent frivolous or unsubstantiated cases and, when specifically questioned regarding action against those responsible for such complaints, assured the Committee that results would soon be visible.
The Chairman NAB assured the Committee that the Bureau is institutionally committed to protecting the dignity and constitutional rights of individuals during investigations. The Committee was informed that NAB has introduced a mechanised monitoring system under which reports concerning allegations of delay or harassment are generated within 24 hours. Where misconduct is established, disciplinary action is initiated against the responsible officials, while due process safeguards are maintained. The Chairman NAB also informed the Committee that the Bureau had witnessed a substantial reduction in the issuance of arrest warrants following these reforms.
The Committee was further informed that NAB has established a Business Facilitation Desk to assist the business community in resolving issues arising during the accountability process. The Chairman Committee appreciated the Initiative and stressed the need for greater public awareness so that the business community could benefit from the facility.
The Director General (Operations), NAB, presented a comprehensive briefing on the Bureau’s performance over the past five years, with particular emphasis on institutional reforms introduced during the last three years. During the last three and a half years, NAB received budgetary allocations amounting to Rs.22.556 billion while effecting recoveries valued at approximately Rs.16.938 trillion in cash and kind.
The Committee also received a briefing on other changes introduced in the accountability framework, including provisions relating to complaints involving cheating of the public at large, exclusions from NAB’s jurisdiction, burden of proof and requirements concerning monetary gain in cases involving misuse of authority.
The Chairman NAB also highlighted the importance of financial transparency and encouraged that financial transactions exceeding PKR 50,000 be conducted through the formal banking system.
The Committee also reviewed the workload and utilisation of Special Courts and Tribunals and stressed the need for optimum utilisation of judicial resources. After examining the workload, the Chairman Committee directed that the number of NAB Courts in Islamabad be rationalised from two to one, Karachi from five to two, Hyderabad from two to one and Peshawar from three to two, with surplus judicial resources to be redeployed where required. The Ministry of Law and Justice was directed to initiate the process and submit an implementation report before the Committee.
The Committee also considered disparities in the remuneration of Federal and Provincial law officers and emphasised the need for greater parity to strengthen the legal system. Consideration of The Juvenile Justice System (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Sarmad Ali, was deferred owing to the absence of the mover.
The meeting concluded with directions for implementation of the Committee’s decisions, while deliberations on the remaining agenda items, including the review of NAB’s performance and accountability reforms, will continue in subsequent sittings.
The meeting was attended by Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Senator Shahadat Awan, Senator Abdul Qadir, Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Senator Bilal Ahmed Khan, Senator Kamran Murtaza, the Minister of State for Law and Justice, Secretary Ministry of Law and Justice, Chairman NAB, Prosecutor General NAB, Deputy Chairman NAB and other senior officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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