Accountability is an aspect that is of vital importance in the running of today’s democracies. The political machinery of today needs to include organisations that can efficiently control and manage monetary corruption and economic terrorism. This is necessary for fair and equal governance, because a successful democracy includes transparency, and the democracy should also include rulers who do not hesitate to be held accountable because they do not hoard money, rather they care for the masses.
However, in many countries today, there is an economic division between people; the rich are accumulating wealth and the poor are getting poorer. This is because of many of the unjust activities of the powerful. It is safe to assume that Pakistan is a part of such countries as it consists of politicians, business men, government officials and corporate sector tycoons, who at times fail to disclose their economic assets in an honest manner.
One may ask why this is necessary and the answer to the their question is the simple fact that nowadays the masses want to be ruled by people who are trustworthy and seem to care about the civilians of the country. Here, the role of organisations such as the National Accountability Bureau comes to play.
Theoretically, organisations such as NAB seek to ensure that a holistic and comprehensive approach is taken to identify, prevent and control financial crimes taking place in the country. This involves and encompasses all sectors of the country, including state-owned companies, private organisations, the army, and other bodies too.
The main aim of such bodies is to make sure that there is proper regulation when it comes to economic management of the country’s finances. This also includes proper management of the national exchequer. It has the right to issue warrants, and then try those convicted. The point of consideration is how far the theoretical framework of NAB is applicable in reality; meaning to what extent is it successful in terms of its practicality, and whether or not it functions according to the framework of Pakistan.
Keeping this in mind, one can quickly come to the conclusion that presently, there have been many concerns that various people and groups have raised regarding NAB’s activities in the country. Although, there have been practical examples revolving which to some may seem as the success of NAB, many have raised objections against its unjust functioning in the country.
Amongst the successes, most people say, is the popular case of Dr Asim Hussain who was accused of corruption, illegal allotment of land, and money laundering. He was also kept in custody on NAB’s request. While this news left many cheering over the success of organisations finally doing their job by highlighting and punishing so-called criminals in the country, many other brought attention the fact that some of NAB’s processes and requests were unjust.
It was an organisation that was working in an inhumane way, as it was not targeting only few people. Moreover, people also pointed out the fact that NAB was involved in political victimisation of various people, and had ignored the fact that other individuals, including army officials, also need to be checked for corruption and frauds.
Thus, it can also be said that earlier this year, many people were blaming NAB for its direct involvement with the government, and opinions about its link with the government seemed to be clear when it failed to produce a reference against Dr Asim Hussain on time; the organisation may not be fully aware of the charges it holds against those it accuses of corruption.
Another accusation that has been linked with NAB’s role in the country is that it is putting its ‘hands’ on government officials. This recent opinion has come from the prime minister himself, and his statement against the organisation focuses around the notion that NAB is being ‘irresponsible’ in the way it is conducting its activities. But, this has left many people wondering whether this statement is a result of NAB now reaching and spreading its wings into the province of Punjab and probing into projects that revolve around and are happening because of the government’s involvement and interest.
These projects include the Metro Bus, and Orange Train initiatives. Of course the objection that the incumbent prime minister has for NAB was criticised by many political analysts and other researches, keeping in mind the fact that the organisation was being criticised because it was not in the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s favour.
One such person who objected and spoke against the prime minister’s statement was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Gohar Nawaz Sindhu, who filed a petition against the statement given by the former. Perhaps this came as a shock to many, but it confirmed the fact that many people became aware of Nawaz Sharif’s statement being a sign of feeling threatened.
This also changed the opinion about the nature of NAB, and its operations. People came to the realisation that in order to make Pakistan a successful democratic state, there needs to be a system that holds people accountable, regulates the economic wing of the country, and charges people against corruption.
Thus, one can say that the role of NAB is closely linked with the political arena and the state machinery in Pakistan. While some may blame the organisation for political victimisation, others tend to appreciate the efforts of NAB in highlighting individuals and groups who are directly or indirectly involved in money-laundering, and unjustly using up the state’s resources, or the property of other people for that matter.
The presence of such institutes that act like the all-seeing eye, and hold people accountable for the wrong actions they have done, acts like a warning sign to those who may have been seeking opportunities to become involved in illegal activities.
The blogger is an English Literature graduate. He tweets @fahad_gabol