ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has described Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as a “political compromise” and urged reforms to improve accountability and integrity among high-level public officials. As part of the ongoing $7 billion IMF loan programme, the government has agreed to publish asset declarations of senior officials in 2026 and conduct risk-based verification to curb corruption.
The IMF’s Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA), released by the Ministry of Finance, recommends both short- and long-term measures. In the longer term, Pakistan may establish a centralised authority to digitise, verify, and publish asset declarations of public officials, although this vision could be delayed given the programme’s expiry.
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The report highlighted limitations in NAB’s independence and effectiveness, noting that appointment procedures, investigative capacities, and internal accountability mechanisms need strengthening. It also pointed out that disciplinary actions against senior officials, particularly in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), are inadequate, with criminal prosecution rarely applied, limiting deterrence against corruption.
The IMF flagged fragmented asset declaration systems across federal, provincial, military, and judicial sectors, noting that most declarations are not publicly verified. For the judiciary and NAB officials, declarations remain confidential, reducing transparency. The report also recommended lifestyle monitoring as a tool to detect illicit enrichment.
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Finally, the IMF questioned NAB’s appointment process, which it said is politically influenced, and suggested adopting global best practices by forming a multi-sectoral, independent commission to select the NAB chief. An autonomous oversight body is also recommended to audit internal controls, strengthen transparency, and reduce politicisation.