APROPOS the article ‘NAB versus human rights’ (October 15), the National Accountability Bureau outrightly rejects it as a baseless, one-sided and lamentable piece of writing that has raised questions about journalistic ethics, and has violated relevant laws about seeking the official version before publishing a story.

NAB is a reputed anti-corruption institution that has so far recovered a record amount of Rs466bn. The conviction ratio of NAB is 68.8 per cent, and its performance has been acknowledged by reputed national and international organisations. There are 1,230 corruption references that are under trial involving an amount of Rs943bn.

NAB is a human-friendly institution and all instructions in this regard from the NAB chairman are being strictly followed. It can be categorically stated that no person has died in its custody as medical check-up of all those in custody is carried out as per laws.

For the record, Mian Javed did not die in NAB custody. He was on judicial remand in Camp Jail, Lahore, at the time of his death. NAB had invited members of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) as well as journalists to visit NAB Lahore at the time. The NCHR delegation as well as media representatives had expressed satisfaction over the facilities being provided to suspects in NAB custody.

As for the case of Mir Shakilur Rehman, NAB rejects all the allegations levelled in the said article as it firmly believes in the freedom of the press. Technically speaking, he is not in NAB custody, but on judicial remand. NAB has filed a reference against him and the matter is sub-judice.

We condemn propaganda campaigns, and have decided to take legal action against the former senator concerned for making an attempt to influence the ongoing investigations.

NAB spokesman

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2020