NAB chief vows to take action against PTI leaders if application is filed

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Wednesday slammed the people claiming that his organisation was “soft” on the incumbent government, and vowed that he would take strict action if any application was filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders.

“I will take actions within 48 hours against the [incumbent] government if anyone files complaints against it,” said Iqbal while making it clear that there was no “sacred cow” in the country.

Addressing a cheque distribution ceremony at NAB Lahore’s office, the NAB chief further asked critics how many applications they have filed against the sitting government, so far.

The NAB chairman said that the bureau was reviewing its 1,270 references filed before it in the last four years and correcting any technical or legal hiccups they faced.

Read more: NAB not an extension of party, institutions, says Javed Iqbal

“Besides, we are also reviewing our pending appeals before the accountability courts,” he said, adding that if the accountability watchdog filed a case against someone with ill intention then the courts can clear them.

Javed Iqbal was of the view that anybody could commit mistakes but he would take strict actions if corruption against any NAB official was proved. He further said if anyone has any proof related to the corruption of any NAB official, he should come up with evidence so he will take strict actions against the accused officials.

“It’s an easy job to accuse anybody of corruption but proving it is a hard nut to crack,” said the NAB chief.

Condemning ongoing propaganda against NAB, the chairman said black sheep are everywhere and he has taken over 100 disciplinary actions against such officials within his institution.

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“Some officials have been thrown out of NAB and some are also facing accountability at the moment,” said Justice Iqbal.

Justice Javed Iqbal, who was making his first visit to NAB Lahore after getting an extension, also took to task those trying to malign and to paint the bureau as a controversial institution.

“Politics of some of the people only revolved around NAB,” said the NAB chief.

Vowing to continue the bureau’s fight against corruption even if he continues as chairman or not, Javed Iqbal said he has tried to deliver to the best of his abilities during his four-year term.

Read more: NAB chief Justice Javed Iqbal issues transfer orders of 14 senior officials

“There was a storm in the teacup that where does the recovery of NAB go,” he said, adding, NAB doesn’t get recoveries in the shape of hard cash rather in the shape of valuable lands, plots etc which directly goes into the pockets of the affectees. He said the media should have asked him about the reality of allegations related to the bureau’s recoveries.