The National Accountability Bureau has recovered Rs 3.93 billion, received 19,816 complaints, authorised 767 inquiries, 276 cases were converted into investigations and 152 references were filed in the Accountability Court from October 2013 to October 2014.
The figures of complaints, inquiries and investigations are almost double as compared to the same period of October 2012 to September 2013 with 10,414 complaints, 276 inquiries, 84 investigations and 138 references, respectively, said NAB sources. The comparative figures for the last two years are indicative of the hard work being put in by all ranks of NAB staff in an atmosphere of renewed energy and dynamism, where fight against corruption was being taken as a national duty.
Increase in the number of complaints also reflected the enhanced public trust in the NAB. The NAB has been rejuvenated in the past year and efforts were being made to make it a more credible and efficient anti-corruption organisation, said a NAB official. The enforcement efforts in the shape of complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations have shown a marked improvement.
The concept of Combined Investigation Teams (CITs) comprising at least two investigation officers, a legal consultant and a case officer (Additional Director) along-with other experts from the relevant required field has been strengthened. This helps in a team work concept and leaves no room for discretion. The Prosecution Division has been allocated additional manpower in the shape of hiring competent law officers, based on market salaries and a fair and transparent hiring process.
The conviction rate target has been increased from 65 percent to 75 percent. Regional DGs and Deputy Prosecutor Generals Accountability (DPGAs) have been given clear directions in the matter. To improve institutional working in the NAB and to employ uniform working practices throughout the Regions, Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) have been prepared after a comprehensive consultative process.
The Chairman of NAB had directed to prepare these SoPs in order to fill in knowledge gaps, bring uniformity and standardisation in NAB's work across the country and to improve self-discipline and better planning and management. A number of high profile cases involving personalities, the political, bureaucratic and business fields have been instituted in the courts. Appeals have been filed in cases where NAB prosecution opined to pursue these at higher forums without any distinction of rank and status.
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