ISLAMABAD: An independent analysis of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has shown that the bureau scored high for its legal power, independence and mandate.
The Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has recently released its report on “Anti-Corruption Agencies Strengthening Initiative”. The report contains a comprehensive qualitative performance assessment of NAB, including its areas of strengths and weaknesses for 2016.
To review the report, NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry held a high-level meeting of the bureau at NAB headquarters in Islamabad, a statement said on Friday.
According to the TIP report, NAB scored very high under legal basis, independence and mandate. The report noted that the bureau was a legally independent unit operating under the National Accountability Ordinance-1999.
Moreover, the scope of work involves education, detection, investigation and prosecution of cases involving corrupt practices. Its objective was to eradicate corruption from society through an extensive strategy and enjoys extensive powers to investigate, arrest and prosecute cases.
The report adds that NAB relies extensively on its awareness campaign to disseminate information on preventing and combating corruption and corrupt practices in the society. Further, internal integrity and accountability are guided by a code of conduct.
Indicators in which NAB scored high were NAB’s independence, mandate, legal powers, selection criteria for personnel, staff stability, responsiveness to corruption complaints, initiation of complaints, asset recovery, freezing and confiscation, budget for prevention, education and outreach, corruption prevention Initiatives, awareness campaigns, government support for prosecution of corruption cases, international participation, information provided in and accessibility of NAB’s annual report, outcome of complaints against NAB or its personal, support from government.
