NAB says audio clips being associated with its chairman are 'fake, based on lies'
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday denied that a series of audio clips aired by a private TV channel have anything to do with its chairman Javed Iqbal, branding them "baseless, fake and based on lies".
The bureau was referring to some footage and a few audio clips — first aired by News One — in which a male can be heard talking to a woman, and making inappropriate remarks at various points.
While the TV channel linked the male voice with the NAB chairman, the corruption watchdog has vehemently denied the allegation, labelling it "the propaganda of a blackmailers' group".
The bureau, in its press release, said that the purpose of the audio clips was to "damage the goodwill of NAB and its chairman".
The anti-graft body said that "the news channel [too] has not only already admitted that the news was fake and contrary to the facts but also apologised to the NAB chairman for causing him distress."
NAB said that it has "not only already arrested two members of the blackmailing group but also approved the filing of references against them".
It further said that the suspected group is nominated in 42 FIRs (first information reports) across the country on allegations of blackmailing, kidnapping for ransom and mass robberies — the evidence of which "NAB already has".
NAB identified an individual named Farooq as the group's ringleader, saying that he is "currently incarcerated in Kot Lakhpat Jail".
Comments (62) Closed
The NAB is Pakistan's only hope.
This needs to be investigated by CIA or IB !
Very daring attempt of the blackmailer. But, who is the beneficiary of the blackmail?
Needs to be investigated and if found true, chairman must resign immediately, and if proven fake then apology isn't enough for spreading it. This should be the new norm for all such cases.
I am sure, corrupt politicians and mafia organised the fake call to malign and blackmail NAB's chairman. This should be investigated and established who provided the recording to news channel and why they aired before establishing its authenticity. This type of dirty tactics and blackmailing must stop and culprits and their masterminds must be exposed and severely punished.
The abruptness with which NAB has reacted to this scandal proves the authenticity of this audeo and video. Chairman NAB has a reputation for being a compromised judge like Saqib Nisar. One can expect anything from him.
how come Najam Sethi was able to predict this
If NAB can be blackmailed too, then why don't we just shut the organization down and send everyone packing home. Save time and money.
Sounds like ppp or pmln have a hand in this to discredit nab
Doesn't seem fake to me.
NAB is controversial.
@M. Saeed,
Nawaz League and PPP.
Lowlife tactics on behalf on soon to be prisoners .
When this man could not be bought, this happened. As this has always been in such cases, I was unconciously waiting for it. Having said this, even if found true, I trust that personal affairs should be set aside before professionalism
Why did the channel air it? Nab them as well.
@Alam USA, CIA?
This dirty game is played by looters by buying some of media corrupts. The whole matter relates to keep NAB away to protect their arrest,prison main punishment of returning looted wealth. Now whole nation depend on NAB , JUDICIARY'S FAIR Justice and PM to become bold and powerful to implement whatever promised to nation.
NAB chairman and his dramas.
@Alam USA, PEMRA must take action.
@M. Saeed, Imran Khan is the beneficiary. Cause just a day ago it was told by very popular journalist that IK has appointed his man as deputy chairman NAB cause the IK is not happy on Jutsice Javed Iqbal approaching PTI's ministers in helicopter case, faisal wavda case, khattak case etc now today this clip aired. very clear now who is running this country and who controls the strings. Not very hard to see. But its unfortunate that Pakistan is like this from the history till now, where mega corruption in BRT of more than 100 Billion is ignored and punjab metro is picked that was built in less than 25 billion. Its not very dificult to pick who is the beneficiary
Ring leader Incarcerated in a cell next to Sharif sahib?
We all know who wants to defame The credibility of NAB and its chairman... Long live Jamhooriyat...
I do not believe NAB.
I appeal CJP to take necessary action regarding recent allegations on NAB Chairman Justice Javed.
@Alam USA, Thw CIA are probably the culprits
@M. Saeed, The Zirdaris and the Sharifs
NAB as an institution is failing. The CJP said the same yesterday.
News channel just apologized for reporting that it is fake news. Apology is not enough. There is should be severe punishment for this irresponsible reporting.
Fake or true however the investigation under NAB will not be transparent.
The chain of allegations / maligning campaign seems to have the backing of corrupt extremely influential politicians who are under the NAB radar.Get them.
Let me guess... Zardari/Shareef nexus is now blackmailing nab.
@Faisal Khorasani, The best place for corruption NAB
I listened to the audio. I already noticed its possibility of alleged plot againt him as the male responded to the question inquiring his where abouts. The way he replied "NAB ke daftar" imparts an impression that NAB is not his own office and he made it sure to drag it in his recording.
Chairman Sab Common step forward and accept then tender resign , save your institution respect and your juniors moral.
Well done
@Alam USA, moral corruption is worst form of corruption then financial?
@M. Saeed, Opposition’s latest movement to dislodge the Elected Government.
Zardari and PMLN are desperate to malign NAB. They did the same thing through Rehman Khan but failed.
This is obviously a reaction to the recent article by javed choudary in which chairman NAB points out those, who shouldn't have been named.
There must be others involved, especially those being proceeded against in high profile cases of mega corruption, having clear motives to provide monetary and other support to this gang of blackmailers, to defame and tarnish positive image of the accountability watchdog among general public. Let us hope that NAB is able to expose and punish real actors behind this scandal soon.
If it's fake then the channel is in HUGE trouble, and if it's real then the "masters" must find a replacement to avoid further PR damage.
NAB said that it has "not only already arrested two members of the blackmailing group but also approved the filing of references against them
Show there faces of All news media and make sure they get hefty fines and very long time in Prison with out giving them any special treatment
Peoples like them are maniac to the society
NAB and its chairman must act in more professional ways. Appoint some media specialist who on their behalf address media when it is necessary. Mr. Chairman must not roaming around media houses for any interviews as its creates controversy. I hope the must adopt a professional corporate environment of modern age to minimize these negative news about that institution.
@M. Saeed, Opposition
Don't know who to trust!!
The corrupts will go any length to destroy the credibility of the NAB. Justice Javed Iqbal, please do not give up and continue the good work that you have started.
NAB has done nothing so far just a useless organization with incompetency at its peak
Take the blackmailers to task and get them penalized severely without any show of compassion.
The blackmailing ring leader has been nominated in 42 FIRs on allegations of blackmailing, ransom and mass robberies, the evidence of which 'NAB already has'? This all casts doubts and makes this case very complicated. When NAB already has so much stuff, why it had not been disclosed before this incidence? What about those clip in which chairman NAB could be clearly seen? Are they fake? Why not implicate other blackmailers, who are maligning other leading figures, mostly politicians? Watch out the UTube.
@Salvi, Any institution that threatens the interests of the rich and powerful becomes or is made controversial.
Kindly go through the audio and video over u tube nab has got a fantastic chairman good voice very liberal veiws on woman empowerment
Fake as in? The video and audio clip is as real as can be. NAB Chairman should resign immediately if he has an iota of integrity.
Video also circulating on Facebook.
Allegations should be tried and not muted, the culture of using force or giving a twist of blackmailing should be thoroughly investigated.
The group who has leaked this should be given full protection and if the allegations are true then there should be serious charges against NAB.
Things never get reported correctly because people in power mute everything with force, there the mindset and culture never improves.
This is to sabotage the image made by NAB in recent past. I am sure linkage will lead to Politicians.
@FairPlay , the TV channel in question is owned by a well know visitor at Banigala and a PTI supporter
Why don’t you do a simple research on the channel and the owner before coming up with your arm chair analysis
Sounds like you PTI ppl have a hidden agenda and it’s very funny that Najam sethi spilled it hours before
NAB chairman should resigned
The only beneficiary is IK
Why was this video allowed to be aired. The channel should be prosecuted and fined.
Really astonishing news....! Where are we being led?
Beneficiary is pti govt¡
This is his personnel life But he has to accept this , telling truth always bring the respect ... is quite visible that it was him the chairman NAB ....