ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal, while chairing a meeting at the NAB Headquarters to review the performance of NAB operations and prosecution division on Wednesday, has said that corruption is like cancer which is silently killing our system. Justice Javed Iqbal said that NAB is absolutely committed to root out corruption in all its forms and manifestations with iron hands. He further said that corruption is a major hurdle in the way of progress and prosperity of the country. He lauded the performance of NAB and said that the overall performance of NAB remained excellent as compared to other anti-corruption organizations. Justice Iqbal said that the number of complaints, inquiries and investigations is almost double as compared to the same period of previous year which shows that people trust NAB due to its “Accountability for All” policy. NAB chairman further stated that the bureau has introduced a new system of Combine Investigation Team (CIT) in order to benefit from the experience and collective wisdom of senior supervisory officers and the system of CIT will comprise of a director, additional director, investigation officer and a senior legal counsel. It will not only lend quality to the work but also ensure that no single individual can influence the proceedings of NAB, he said. Justice Iqbal said that NAB has devised monitoring and evaluation system to track implementation and measure the effectiveness of performance which helps in enhancing the operational, monitoring and evaluation capabilities of NAB. He said that Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES) is an important management tool to track progress and it facilitates in decision making as well as establishes links between the past, present and future actions. Justice Javed Iqbal further said that NAB is absolutely committed to work transparently, fairly, professionally and on merit for corruption free Pakistan in accordance with the law. He said that Pakistan is considered as a role model for SAARC Countries in eradication of corruption due to NAB’s efforts and Pakistan is the only country whose Corruption Perception Index (CPI), according to the Transparency International Report, has been decreased from 175 to 116 points. Published in Daily Times, October 4th 2018.