NAB to launch AI-based investigation system to probe financial crimes, white-collar offences

Published June 24, 2026 Updated June 24, 2026 12:02am
A sign of NAB is displayed at the main gate of its office in Karachi, in this picture taken on March 22, 2026. — Muskaan Mujahid/File
A sign of NAB is displayed at the main gate of its office in Karachi, in this picture taken on March 22, 2026. — Muskaan Mujahid/File

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has established an artificial intelligence-based investigation system, National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) Chairman Dr Yasar Ayaz said in a statement on Tuesday.

“It is a landmark advancement towards digital transformation and institutional modernisation,” he said, terming it as Pakistan’s first sovereign generative AI-powered investigation system.

He described the system as a state-of-the-art platform designed to support the investigation of white-collar crime through advanced artificial intelligence.

He highlighted that the initiative reflected Pakistan’s growing capability to develop indigenous AI solutions tailored to national requirements while maintaining data sovereignty and institutional ownership.

The NCAI chairman said NAB’s AI-powered investigation system sets a national benchmark for the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in public-sector institutions.

The platform was expected to improve the speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of investigations involving financial crimes, corruption, and other complex white-collar offences.

Ayaz contended that by assisting investigators in managing information and generating meaningful insights, the system would support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen institutional accountability.

The initiative represents a transformative step in NAB’s ongoing reform agenda and demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to leveraging modern technologies to enhance transparency, efficiency, and public trust.

The official said the project aligns with broader national efforts to promote innovation, digital governance, and the use of emerging technologies for public service delivery.

In this regard, a meeting was held under the supervision of NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi Director General Waqar Ahmed Chauhan.

The meeting was attended by experts from the NCAI, including Ayaz, along with members of the AI development team.

During the session, the NCAI team presented a comprehensive demonstration of the AI-powered investigation platform and provided a detailed briefing on the progress achieved so far.

Participants reviewed the system’s capabilities across key investigative functions, including complaint verification, inquiry management, investigation support, financial analysis, evidence management, and decision-making assistance.

The members expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved thus far and reaffirmed their commitment to the timely completion and deployment of the platform.

Once operational, the system is expected to emerge as a flagship indigenous AI initiative and a pioneering model for the application of sovereign generative AI in Pakistan’s public sector, paving the way for technology-enabled governance and modern law enforcement practices across the country.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment from NAB and NCAI to continue their collaboration in advancing AI innovation and establishing Pakistan as a leader in the development of sovereign AI solutions for the public sector.

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