Daily Times

Nearly every political government reins in with determination to hold thorough anti-corruption drive in Pakistan. Same was done in 2018 elections by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI). But, the alleged attempt to draft and promulgate sequel of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Ordinance-II has raised eye brows of many. Numerous whispers from different circles are harvesting an impression that after the expiry of first NAB Amendment Ordinance 2019, there is another ‘malicious’ effort on board to make NAB sleepy and slender. Although, it is claimed that Government has deployed NAB tainted pawns to hold discussions with opposition parties for bringing next level Amendment Ordinance. This has also been claimed by few sources privy to the matter that major powers of NAB Chairman and some important Sections of NAO-1999 are likely to be clipped down in this Amendment. Knowingly all this has been intended to be done to ease the much chanted impression of NAB draconian powers.

This act on part of PTI government appears to be at odd and seems indigestible. What would be the probable root causes which is inciting or compelling the ruling government to make NAB almost a toothless body in a time when there is a boom of opening almost every pending Inquiry of mega corruption scandal? Whether the watch-dog failed to fulfill the expectations coerced from her to recover hefty amounts from all renowned accused ones lying under custody or enjoying bails.

This is also an undeniable fact that NAB recent activism succeeded to gain admire and fascination among Pakistani masses to the extent that public had developed intuition since last two three years that now the sleeping giant has awakened and true accountability of untouchables is in vogue. This is also a known fact that PTI’s throughout politics was shouldered by slogans and mottos of bringing a ruthless accountability into country if given one time opportunity. Their election campaign before 2018 elections even complete political history of PTI stands on the notion of reinforcement of callous Accountability against corruption and corrupt elements. Fortunately in 2018, Pakistani people gave them due mandate and PTI succeeded in gaining power, at the same time, the Pakistan’s apex graft-busting body was being chaired by a renowned retired Supreme Court (SC) Judge who had the opportunities to head few distinguished commissions viz Abbottbad Commission and Missing Persons’ Commission etc. Since his appointment as Chairman NAB in 2017, it sounded as if for the very first time NAB seemed to be working on no compromise mood and away from the fear of confrontation.

Almost every politician facing NAB cases start raising hue and cry at main stream media channel as they enjoy liberty to sit on-air in the programs of their choice; on the other hand, NAB has only option to clear her point through one page Press Release option issued by her spokesperson

Whereas, NAB’s history was purportedly packed with compromises and arm-twisting acts which used to be administer by the then ruling leaders. For the ruling governments, the Bureau had a compromised behavior in some cases. In support to this argument numerous instances can be presented like case of Hudabiya Paper Mills which was destroyed during the tenure of PML-N, Raiwind Road Case, and LDA Plots Case etc against Sharifs which were at halt for the long durations but under Justice Javed Iqbal’s incumbency above cases were known to be closed down over lack of substantial evidences. All such cases in history were always put on mute mode by the alleged promised and compromised former Chairmen.

There used to be a time between 2008-2013, when NAB was facing acute wrath of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as all major funds were held at halt by the Finance Ministry of that tenure even as claimed by the Bureau’s ex-officials that they had not enough funds to transport their accused persons to Trial Courts for seeking of their Remands. Escorting of accused ones on personal vehicles was occasionally part of Investigating Official’s own duties. Downsizing at maximum level was done to meet the limited resources; more to that almost all incentives were blocked for long periods. In such an atmosphere how can any organization work diligently? This was the clear example of an indirect pressure being inflicted on apex anti-corruption body that without resources how come an Institution would deliver upto the merit and expectation.

In comparison with that time, today, from the history of decades, for the first time some untouchables are being jailed and facing trials in courts. Former three times Prime Minister languished behind the bars, another former PM was also detained, former President jailed and sought medical bail, former opposition leader from PPP, ex-finance Minister, former Chief Minister of Punjab, senior provincial leaders and provincial opposition leader all were caught in different corruption scams. All this indicate the impression of changed and independent NAB. Under the apprenticeship of Javed Iqbal, the anti-graft watchdog surfaced as the true accountability body which didn’t limitised herself towards common citizens and low level government officials. During his tenure, we saw strong bureaucrats being caught by NAB; some took bails and some still contesting trials.

Delays in convictions can be assumed as vindication as fumed by opposition parties. Although, it’s evident that the guilty seeks delays in trials. Unfortunate slackness in our judicial system prevails which has been occasionally admitted by honorable judges themselves. When it’s claimed that justice delayed is justice denied; it is also said that “Justice rushed is justice crushed”. Courts don’t work on emotions and sentiments. Every decision there is made after giving complete right of defense to both parties.

Almost every politician facing NAB cases start raising hue and cry at main stream media channel as they enjoy liberty to sit on-air in the programs of their choice; on the other hand, NAB has only option to clear her point through one page Press Release option issued by her spokesperson. NAB should also be allowed to bring some facts related with Inquiries and Investigations on screen by holding open Press Briefings and Conferences as in practice in other government offices like Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry, Police, Rangers, ISPR and FIA etc.

Almost every politician facing NAB cases start raising hue and cry at main stream media channel as they enjoy liberty to sit on-air in the programs of their choice; on the other hand, NAB has only option to clear her point through one page Press Release option issued by her spokesperson