ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has introduced a concept of Combined Investigation Teams (CIT) which made impossible for individuals to influence conduct or outcome of any inquiry or investigation.
The present management of NAB has also introduced some other measures to guard against any unethical and unprofessional conduct which are to evaluate quantitative and qualitative output of individual officers as well as field units and observance of revised and updated SOPs while timelines have been prescribed for each stage of its work which forecloses the possibility of unscrupulous elements going astray or twisting the system for illegal gains.
The other steps are periodic performance reviews and case analysis by dedicated Inspection and Monitoring Teams.
An objective, Quantified Grading System (QGS) of performance appraisal is also a major step in eliminating culture of subjective personal likes and dislikes.
According to NAB sources Tuesday, the combined effect of above stated measures have shown good results.
It has ensured that only professionalism and merit prevails in the organization.
NAB has an efficient system of responding to complaints of high-handedness, corruption and unprofessional and unethical conduct lodged against its employees. An Internal Accountability Mechanism (IAM) has been comprehensively set up.
All complaints against NAB employees are scrutinized and investigated by qualified Intelligence & Vigilance experts with the help of senior officers.
Such elements that, for reasons of inefficiency, misconduct, malpractice and violation of laid down SOPs bring a bad name to the organization, are promptly dealt with.
It is mentioned here that Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry on assumption of charge undertook a comprehensive review of the prevalent systems and practices.
Thereafter, he presented his vision to the organization that in order to be able to hold others accountable and to sit in judgment on their conduct, NAB shall have to put its own act together to serve as a role model.
In view of the peculiar nature of its mandate and scope of its duties NAB for its operational functions is placed outside the supervision and control of the government.
However, NAB has been continuously guided in its work by oversight on its conduct and operations by the Supreme Court, the media and the civil society.
The Chairman NAB has reiterated his firm resolve to continue the policy of zero tolerance against corruption.
At the same time, he encouraged the officers to perform their duties without any fear of negative propaganda campaigns launched by vested interest lobbies.
NAB’s work is ultimately laid before the courts in the form of cases which are the only and best judge of its performance. On the directions of Supreme Court of Pakistan, the system’s weaknesses and loopholes hampering NAB in discharge of its official mandate have been minimized through introduction of a “Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Old pending Inquiries and Investigations through a special drive have been curtailed appreciably.
The Bureau, through a combination of above measures and procedures, is geared up to augment its drive against corruption with renewed zeal and energy.
