ISLAMABAD: The Director Generals (DGs) Conference of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has begun and discussed in details several policy issues relating to reinvigoration of Bureau’s work.
NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry chaired the three-day 21st DG Conference here at NAB Headquarters and was attended by Deputy Chairman, Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA), all DGs of Regional Bureaus and Headquarters. The DGs gave their valuable suggestions/input on basis of their practical experiences.
Addressing the conference, the Chairman said NAB is an apex anti-corruption organization which was established under NAO to eradicate corruption from the country.
He said due to various reasons, NAB’s working got adversely affected during the previous years. In that backdrop, the year 2014 was the year of reinvigoration of NAB. The present management of NAB initiated the process of putting NAB back on rails.
He said after a thorough and comprehensive analysis of deficiencies in structure and operations of the organization, a reform and restructuring programme was put in place which has not only entrusted a new lease of life for the organization but also infused it with a new character; a character marked by fairness, objectivity, professionalism and transparency. This is critical to achieving efficiency across different tiers of the organization, he added.
The Chairman said the measures taken by present management such as introduction of Combined Investigation Teams (CIT), review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) making them relevant to current times, clearly defined Job Descriptions, rational timelines for completing inquiries and investigations, capacity building trainings tailored around specific job requirements and rationalization of workload has started showing results.
An objective appraisal system – Partly Quantified Grading System – and an Internal Accountability Mechanism (IAM) has improved quality of output considerably with fewer instances of highhandedness and unprofessional conduct. He said that the tempo and momentum generated in 2014 has been sustained.
The chairman also reviewed performance of NAB Bureaus and Headquarters and status of implementation of decisions taken in 20th DG Conference and found that most of the decisions were implemented in letter and spirit.
He stressed upon importance of the team work and said Prosecution Division has been strengthened in order to evolve a strong mechanism for nabbing the corrupt.
Qamar Zaman Ch. said efforts have been made to boost up morale of NAB officers/officials as its officers are now being sent on professional courses and trainings, thus leading to better efficiency. He said holding of 21st DG Conference will not only provide an opportunity to all DGs to have interaction with each other but also to review their last year performance and shortcomings if any which will be deliberated in detail.
This, he said, will help in overcoming their shortcomings to discharge their national duty and future course of action with firm resolve to eradicate corruption as well as to set targets for future working so that Regional Bureaus may achieve their goals and targets well in time.
He said in last DG Conference, two new regions at Multan and Sukkur were deliberated and their establishment was achieved successfully. Prosecution was also given targets and as a result of endeavors, the accountability court conviction ratio is now 77 percent. “We have decided to automate over system and computerized Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES) was introduced in all regions. A pilot Project of NAB Rawalpindi was completed. The outcome of the pilot project will be shared during the meeting,” he added.
He said continuous efforts are required to implement this system across NAB in order to further improve working of NAB, adding that due to this reason, Corruption Perception Index (CPI) as per Transparency Index (TI) report of 2015 has decreased from 126 to 117.
Similarly PILDAT in its report said that 42 percent people have trust upon NAB. This is remarkable achievement, he added. He appreciated and acknowledged the devoted efforts of all concerned. However, “As expectations of the nation are very high from us as corruption is mother of all evils. We need to continue our efforts.”
“Efforts will be needed to lay such practices which will make NAB even better organization. We will set up targets and milestones which will cover short and long term goals,” he said. The Conference will continue for further two days.
