ISLAMABAD: The non-interference policy of the government has helped National Accountability Bureau (NAB) become an independent organization and it respects the opinion of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. According to a press release issued here Wednesday, the organization inherited some problems and it was speedily taking necessary measures for resolving them.
The process of accountability would be further improved in light of the recommendations of the Prime Minister.—APP
INP adds: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Major Qamar Zaman Chaudhry (retd) on Wednesday gave a freehand to Punjab Director General (DG) to speed up action against corrupt officials.
Chairman of the accountability bureau held a meeting in the Lahore office of the organisation which was attended by Punjab DG Syed Burhan Ali and other officials.
During the meeting, the bureau chairman ordered the Punjab officials to accelerate action and launch indiscriminate probes against corrupt officials. The Director General briefed the chairman over Education Minister Rana Mashood’s video case, the youth festival case and cases against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Asif Hashmi.
NAB Chairman appreciated Punjab subdivision’s efforts to curb corruption and faulty practices. He directed DG to expedite inquiries of cases against government officials and other politicians.
He instructed the Director General to carry on investigations against corrupt officials without succumbing to external pressure from any section. He urged DG Burhan Ali to take such steps that 2016 is dubbed as ‘the year of National Accountability Bureau Punjab chapter’. It is pertaining to mention that in December 2015, the bureau had summoned Education Minister Rana Mashood to record his statement in a corruption reference pertaining to students youth festival.
The probe was deferred by investigation officer for an indefinite period after recording statement of the accused. The provincial Education Minister had pleaded not guilty.
APP adds: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has stressed that any NAB activity should base on solid and tangible evidence.
Talking to reporters at the Punjab Assembly in Lahore, he said NAB action was not acceptable if it was being launched to please “certain circles”. Provincial Law Minister said NAB could not prove anything in the
Nandipur Power Project, while an undue hue and cry was being raised against Orange Line Train Project.
To a question, Rana Sanaullah said the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s comments on NAB should be taken in a positive manner as he said everything for the good of the agency.
However, he said the references against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were baseless, adding that no corruption could be proved against him in these references which were filed in the year 2002 during the Musharraf era. The Provincial Law Minister added that PML (N) government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had always opposed all kinds of political victimization.
Responding to a question, he said the developments projects initiated during Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif’s government were transparent.
He said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was not responsible if some technical faults hindered the progress of Nandipur project.
To a question, the Punjab Law Minister said there was no organized group of Daish in the country, adding that law enforcement agencies launched an effective and comprehensive operation against terrorists in the country. Responding to a query, he said the Rangers can be called in to help the law enforcement agencies in Punjab if such need arises in future.
