The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recovered Rs 6,213 billion in 2025, taking total recoveries over the past three years to Rs 11,524 billion – equivalent to $41 billion.
The bureau released its annual performance report for 2025, describing the year as one of unprecedented financial success, institutional revitalization, and accelerated technological advancement.
Deputy Chairman NAB Sohail Nasir, Prosecutor General Ihtesham Qadir Shah, and Director General Amjad Majeed Aulakh briefed media representatives on the bureau’s achievements, crediting the exceptional performance to the leadership of Chairman NAB Lt. Gen. (R) Nazir Ahmed.
Under the leadership of the incumbent Chairman Lt Gen. (R) Nazir Ahmed, NAB achieved a record-breaking recovery of Rs 6.213 trillion, the highest annual figure since the Bureau’s inception in 1999.
Building upon this milestone, NAB’s total recoveries-both direct and indirect-have now reached a cumulative Rs. 11.524 trillion (equivalent to 41 billion USD) in last three years, with 2025 alone accounting for more than half of this amount. Notably, this performance is thirteen times higher than the total recoveries recorded over the preceding 23 years.
Central to this achievement was the reclamation of 2.98 million acres of encroached state and forest land, valued at approximately Rs 5.98 trillion. Leading the regional efforts, NAB Sukkur reclaimed 1.63 million acres (valued at Rs. 3.73 trillion), followed by NAB Balochistan for 1.02 million acres, valued Rs. 1.374 trillion and NAB Multan reclaimed 0.33 million acres of Rs. 653.97 billion, 51 canal worth of Rs 29.41 billion precious state land recovered in Federal Capital Territory, thereby effectively restoring critical national assets to the state.
Concurrently, the adoption of a citizen-centric approach, guided by a policy ensuring fair treatment, delivered significant relief to 115,587 affectees of fraudulent housing and investment schemes through disbursement of Rs. 180 billion. In this context, a major contour of accessible and transparent service delivery emerged through digital compensation mechanisms. For the first time in NAB’s history, Rs 2.8 billion was transferred directly into the bank accounts of 12,892 affectees under an agreement with the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), thereby sparing citizens the hardship of traveling to regional offices.
Further strengthening public trust, another major milestone was achieved through the opening of Profit-Bearing Accounts (NIDA) to preserve the time value of recovered funds, ensuring
that claimants receive maximum financial benefit during disbursement. As a result, the year 2025 witnessed momentous relief in high-profile cases including Al-Bari Group ( Rs 5.4 billion disbursed to 1, 126 affectees), Eden Housing (Rs 4.362 billion returned to 11,889 affectees), Plots worth of Rs 72.23 billion delivered to 6750 affectees of State Life Cooperative Housing Society scam, B4U Global ( Rs 3.157 billion disbursed to 17,500 affectees), and AAA Associates (Rs 8.869 billion disbursed to 1, 211 affectees). While NAB recovered and disbursed Rs 10.066 billion to Provincial governments and financial institutions during the year.
In parallel with public relief initiatives, the Bureau undertook massive institutional revitalization to provide specialized facilitation. To ensure fairness and inclusivity, NAB operationalised specialised facilitation cells for parliamentarians and government officials, business community and overseas Pakistanis.
Particular emphasis was placed on effective complaint handling for affected citizens. During the year, the Operations Division successfully managed an influx of 23,411 complaints, utilizing a time-bound verification mechanism to filter out frivolous reports and only 367 complaints emerged cognizable. The year showed a 24 per cent reduction in fresh complaints compared to complaints received in previous years, reflecting a downward trend in the incidence of corruption and the impact of institutional reforms undertaken by NAB. The current year witnessed a significant decline of 52 per cent in complaints against public office holders and businessmen. The NAB completed 191 inquiries and 65 investigations, while 152 inquiries and 56 investigations were closed and referred to other departments/agencies during the year. The year saw 12.4 per cent decline in under process inquiries and investigations. An encouraging trend has been witnessed regarding a greater number of whistleblowers-driven complaints, which rose by 41 per cent from the previous year.
Moreover, investigations are now supported by AI-assisted tools, blockchain analysis, and digital forensics, coordinated through the newly inaugurated Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy (PACA). To date, the Academy has conducted 42 training courses and events, aimed at enhancing both technical and soft skills of investigators and prosecutors. Special focus was placed on training related to e-pads, intelligence functions, investigation of white-collar crimes, anti-money laundering, and countering terror financing. Consequently, NAB’s work improved a lot and Prosecution’s success rate remained 72 per cent in disposal of cases in courts in 2025. The Prosecution Division has contributed in the recoveries of billions of rupees in land matters, cheating public at large and other corporate scams and approx 302 references were under process before the Accountability Courts in 2025. Due to the promulgation of amendments in NAO-1999, 246 references were transferred at various stages of proceedings to other departments/agencies.
At the same time, digital transformation and the transition towards a “paperless future” formed a cornerstone of NAB’s institutional revival. The Bureau is aggressively modernizing its infrastructure to enhance data-driven decision-making. NAB has transitioned to a paperless environment through the E-Office system and is currently developing a robust Human Resource Management System (HRMS) to digitize all personnel functions.
In alignment with federal austerity policies, NAB also implemented rigorous cost-saving measures. Firstly, the abolition of 238 posts resulted in annual savings of Rs. 356 million. Secondly, operational cuts-through a 30% reduction in fuel consumption and increased reliance on virtual meetings-saved millions in travel and boarding costs. Thirdly, a dedicated Inquiry Cell disposed of 13 departmental inquiries, reinforcing NAB’s commitment to internal self-accountability. Additionally, the Bureau’s robust intelligence apparatus played a crucial role in identifying individuals impersonating senior NAB officers for illegal and monetary gains.
Beyond internal reforms, NAB actively engaged with civil society organizations, professional bodies and the private sector to reinforce the collective responsibility against corruption through seminars, walks, meetings and prevention committees. On the international front, as Pakistan’s Central Authority under the UNCAC, NAB signed three new MoUs with anti-corruption agencies in Malaysia (MACC), Saudi Arabia (Nazaha), and Nigeria (EFCC). Furthermore, NAB’s focus on complex financial crimes led to the attachment of Rs. 127 billion in assets in 39 high-profile cases of Anti-Money Laundering.
In conclusion, NAB’s 2025 performance underscores its transformation into a modern and transparent accountability institution. With record recoveries, digital innovation, institutional reforms, and direct relief to citizens, the bureau has strengthened its role in safeguarding national resources and rebuilding public trust.