Daily Times

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal on Monday revealed that the watchdog had received threats that its headquarters would be blown up, a private TV channel reported.

He said the threats had been received after the bureau initiated investigations in mega corruption scandals. However, he did not specify a time period. The NAB chief, who made the revelation during a visit to the bureau office in Lahore, asserted that NAB officials were not afraid of such threats and would continue to perform their duties with dedication. “Our struggle against corruption and malpractices will continue,” he said.

The NAB chief said some people wanted the anti-corruption watchdog to arrest them so that they can then portray themselves as ‘political martyrs’. “All the arrests will be made on the basis of merit and the NAB does not arrest people upon anyone’s wishes,” he said.

He lamented that some people had made a habit of not appearing before the NAB despite summons. He said that the progress regarding investigation in mega corruption cases is encouraging.

Since Javed Iqbal took charge in October last year, NAB has filed 101 references out of 179 mega corruption cases registered with the watchdog.

The new chairman immediately after taking office had ordered the prosecution division of the bureau to finalise all 179 mega corruption investigations as soon as possible.

Published in Daily Times, June 26^th 2018.