NAB pursuing zero tolerance policy to eradicate corruption: Acting Chief

ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has adopted zero tolerance policy across the board to eradicate corruption by using all its resources, Acting Chairman, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar said.
He said this while addressing a workshop on Fraud Awareness
and Prevention in USAID funded projects, organized by USAID and
Transparency International here on Friday.
He said under chairmanship of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, NAB drives
its legal mandate from National Accountability (NAB) Ordinance 1999
which authorizes NAB to take cognizance of acts constituting the
offence of corruption and corrupt practices.
The NAO, he said, is providing effective measures for
detection, investigation, prosecution and disposal of cases
involving corruption, corrupt practices, misuse of authority,
misappropriation of property and taking of kickbacks and
commissions.
Considering huge amount spent on public procurement
expenditure, the Acting Chairman said, it has turned to be
a strategic planning activity from a mere operational decision
making. It is considered as an important tool for poverty
alleviation and aid effectiveness, he said, adding that this
overall planning ensures social, political and economic development
of the country.
Imtiaz Tajwar said Pakistan realized way back in year 2002
that corruption in public procurement and contracting is a serious
impediment to efficient and effective utilization of resources.
The government, he said, implemented one of the Reports’ key
recommendations, by creating the Public Procurement Regulatory
Authority (PPRA) in May 2002 to serve as repository of procurement
expertise.
NAB takes cognizance of cases of mis-procurement under section
9 of NAO 1999.
With regard to violation of procurement rules, necessary
instructions have been issued to concerned departments to make the
procurement processes transparent.
Earlier, in their address, Dan Altman of USAID, John Graarke,
Mission Director, USAID and Saad Rashid, Executive Director,
Transparency International (TI) said they have signed a five-year
cooperative agreement for “Anti-Fraud Hotline” Project.
The objective of the project is to ensure transparency and
prevention of fraud, wastage and proper utilization of aid provided
by USAID.