Role of Bureaucracy vital for development of country: Chairman NAB

Role of Bureaucracy vital for development of country: Chairman NAB

ISLAMABAD, Jan 30 (APP):Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice
Javed Iqbal has said that bureaucracy is the back bone of the country owing to
their vital role in country’s progress and prosperity.
Addressing federal secretaries on Wednesday at Cabinet Division, he said he is well versed
of the problems being confronted by the secretaries as he had already served the
country in various capacities.
He said NAB was established in 1999 and he had been working as Chairman for the
last 13 months.
He was trying his upmost to transform NAB into an independent
and vibrant institute by introducing comprehensive reforms in the anti-graft
watchdog. He said the strengthening of institutions is tantamount to
strengthening the country.
The Chairman NAB refuted the propaganda that bureaucracy had stopped working due to
fear of NAB. On reviewing cases, he said it became clear that cases against bureaucracy
were very few as comparing to others.
It was mere propaganda of levelling allegations on NAB and discouraging bureaucracy.
NAB was an honoured institutions which is working in accordance with law to
eradicate corruption, he added.
He said that NAB believes in resolving righteous issues of every one in accordance with law and Constitution sans hurting his or her self-esteem. NAB is people friendly institution and its working could be
improved further in cooperation with bureaucracy, he maintained.
He said elimination of corruption was collective responsibility
of all of us.
“We are enjoying coveted positions. We owe the country and we
should pay back to the country for this kindness,” he said and stressed to work
together for elimination of corruption.
Justice Javed Iqbal said that those having no conveyance 28 years ago had properties and towers in Dubai at present. “Is it crime to ask them about the source of their assets or to those who spent loan
of 95 billion dollars,” he questioned.
He said NAB and Bureaucracy do not belong to any group, faction, government or any political party but they have strong affiliations with Pakistan and bureaucracy should ponder ten times before
taking any wrong action.
Governments come and go but the state would remain
intact, he said adding that the Government makes policy but implementation
rests with bureaucracy.
Chairman NAB said that bureaucracy must not succumb
to political pressure and make decisions sans caring about punishments or
consequences. This would ensure their victory, he maintained.
Chairman NAB said the Supreme Court was also
preserving the legal decisions of bureaucracy and minor decision against
government servant is taken back by the apex court.
Country is being governed under constitution and law
and we must not succumb to pressure, he added.
He asked bureaucracy to work under the purview of constitution
as well as rules and assured that NAB would not call any bureaucrat who works
accordance to the book. He stressed that internal accountability system in
the ministries and divisions should be proactive so that issues may not be
forwarded to NAB.
The Chairman said that investigative system of NAB
is being improved gradually and the workings of NAB has improved manifold in
last 13 months. He said he had decided to himself supervise complaints received against any secretary or additional
secretary and retired bureaucrats while a questionnaire would be sent if need
arises.
Corruption of billions of rupees was committed by establishing companies in Punjab, he said adding that the government departments should follow PPRA Rules.
The Chairman said that NAB would follow the rules if
the contracts of projects would be given to same bidder. He said that three
former Chief Ministers of Balochistan had been facing investigation and
effective steps were being ensured to check corruption in development projects
of Balochistan.
NAB was taking indiscriminate accountability of all
under the slogan of Accountability for all.
Indiscrimination would never be done against any one, he assured.
He said that time and cautious approach was required to investigate the white collar crime and mutual legal assistance was opted to investigate about foreign assets.
The Chairman expressed proud over transparent approach of his organization
and said those people were facing imprisonment who had remained untouchables in
past.
Later, the Chairman NAB answered the questions of federal Secretaries from various departments who also appreciated Chairman’s answers.

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