ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has condemned recent remarks by Fawad Chaudhry, the federal Minister for Science and Technology, that “accountability is being conducted by the government and not by the bureau”.

According to the NAB spokesman, the anti-graft watchdog believed that the federal minister’s remarks had not only cast aspersion on NAB, but also negated the efforts of bureau’s officials working with dedication, commitment and honesty to banish corruption.

Mr Fawad said during a talk show on a private TV channel on June 19: “We had promised accountability. All those who had to be held accountable, we held them accountable successfully.”

When the show’s host interrupted the minister and asked whether the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was responsible for accountability or NAB, the minister replied: “No, we are responsible because where was NAB before.”

It was the second notice taken by the bureau on remarks made by Fawad Chaudhry over the past four months. The first one was taken when he was information minister and termed the arrest of PTI leader Aleem Khan in February a “balancing act”.

On the other hand, Fawad clarified his recent remarks through Twitter: “Prime Minister Imran Khan introduced a narrative against corruption in this country. It seemed as though corruption wasn’t an issue here at all. The PTI created a culture of accountability. Institutions existed before too, but no one considered corruption as a bad thing.”

The NAB’s press release said the performance of the bureau had been recognised by international institutions. “Fawad Chuadry’s remarks can affect and halt investigations.”

The anti-graft watchdog maintained that it had not received a single corruption reference from the government.

The bureau’s NAB chairman, retired Justice Javed Iqbal, directed the director general of NAB Rawalpindi to obtain a copy of Fawad Chaudhry’s televised remarks and take necessary action in this regard.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2019