If opposition leader can appear before NAB, so can prime minister: NAB chief Javed Iqbal

Published January 10, 2019
NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal addresses at a cheque distribution ceremony. —APP
NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal addresses at a cheque distribution ceremony. —APP

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Javed Iqbal said that if "[the] leader of the opposition in National Assembly can appear before the bureau then the leader of the treasury benches [prime minister] has no right to skip the NAB proceedings".

The NAB chairman said this during his visit to the bureau's office in Lahore on Thursday. He rejected the impression that NAB had ever faced "pressure to deal with the ruling regime with a soft approach".

"NAB is not associated with any organisation, political party or any government," he remarked, adding that the accountability watchdog would "never take an excessive or revenge measure".

The chairman added that NAB is only loyal to Pakistan and its people. "If someone has committed a crime then he will have to face the consequences. No one can stop NAB from taking legal action," he added.

He said NAB will never become a party to any National Reconciliation Ordinance. "All politicians are equal in the eyes of NAB."

"NAB is the only institution which succeeded in arresting corrupt elements and recovered looted money to the tune of Rs297 billion," the chairman said.

Moreover, the bureau has imposed a ban on the foreign travelling of all NAB officers with immediate effect, except for the performance of Umra.

"Making schedules for visits abroad and reservation of tickets has also been stopped without the approval of ex-Pakistan leave by the competent authority," read a statement issued by NAB.

Shahbaz skips accountability court hearing

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif skipped hearing of the case pertaining to Ramzan Sugar Mills in the Lahore's accountability court.

At the onset of the hearing, the counsel for Sharif told the court that his client was in Islamabad as a medical board had conducted a checkup of Sharif on Jan 2 and refrained him from travelling.

The judge, Syed Najamul Hassan, directed the NAB prosecutor to submit the reference against Sharif in the next hearing.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.