ISLAMABAD: National Account­ability Bureau chairman Javed Iqbal on Thursday said NAB had established ‘Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy’ to impart training to its prosecution and investigation officers on modern lines.

Addressing officers of the anti-graft watchdog, he said: “NAB has established its own Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy at Islamabad on modern lines as it accords high priority and importance to imparting modern training to its prosecution and investigation officers.”

He said NAB officers and prosecutors were being imparted training on a regular basis to help improve their standards of investigation and working. “NAB has been tasked with eradicating corruption from the country and pro-active and dedicated officers are needed to perform the duties for elimination of corruption,” he added.

Mr Iqbal said NAB had given importance to capacity enhancement of its officers and a comprehensive plan 2020 had already been devised to improve their professional skills. “For successful implementation of training programme, the skilled trainers are imperative,” he said, adding that legal experts were being hired in all regional bureaus for pursuing cases vigorously in courts.

Chairman says new body will suggest how to remove flaws in the system

He said the Anti-Corruption Academy would ensure imparting training among newly inducted NAB officers. The academy will train the officers on financial crimes. It will also provide forensic examination and prosecution services to provincial and federal institutions, he added.

The academy will also put forth suggestions to improve deficiencies and flaws in the system. It will suggest reforms for ensuring good governance and checking financial crimes. It will also maintain coordination with international agencies regarding financial crimes and investigations.

The academy will work under NAB’s Research and Training Division within the prescribed rules and regulations.

The NAB chief said the bureau had devised comprehensive refresher courses for capacity building of investigation officers. “A close vigil of training process has also been ensured to improve the training to meet future needs,” he added.

A modern forensic laboratory, he said, had also been set up at NAB to provide the facilities of analysing digital forensic, question documents and finger prints to investigation officers and prosecutors.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2020