ISLAMABAD: Negating the impression that the business community was perturbed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), chairman of the anti-graft watchdog Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal on Wednesday stressed that the bureau was trying its best to address the problems of the business community.

Meeting a delegation of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) at the NAB headquarters, Justice Iqbal said, “It is only rumours that the business community is allegedly perturbed due to NAB actions. This is incorrect.”

“NAB has great regard for the valuable services of the business community in the progress and prosperity of the country,” he said.

Last year on Oct 29, a day after meeting the Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, a delegation of business tycoons called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and urged for a review of cases against businessmen where loss of public exchequer was involved before forwarding the same to NAB. The business tycoons reportedly raised complaints against what they called was “high handedness of NAB”.

In the meeting with PCGA delegation, the NAB chief acknowledged the role the business community was playing in the economic development of the country. “A prosperous business community makes for a prosperous Pakistan,” he said.

Interestingly, a few days ago Deputy Chairman Senate and a prominent businessman Saleem Mandviwala claimed that he will ensure NAB is included in the list of international blacklisted organisations. He termed NAB as “anti-business community” outfit.

Justice Iqbal said NAB was performing its national duties as per law and strongly believed in self-respect of every person. “NAB is a people friendly institution,” he stressed.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2020