National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman former Justice Javed Iqbal has said allegations levelled by business community and traders on the accountability watchdog are unjustified. "Some of the traders' impressions regarding NAB during their meeting with economic team of the government and Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa are awkward and I negate some of the business community's concerns about the bureau," the NAB chairman said while addressing a news conference here on Sunday.
He said NAB will never take unfriendly steps against businessmen. "We are struggling to provide a good environment to the businessmen in the country. The NAB does not formulate business policies. It took measures for the betterment of the business community," he said.
He said, "Not merely a single institution is responsible for the economic crisis ... we are neither without reins nor wholly independent ... it will be difficult to remain silent under the fire of criticism. We will not let businessmen get demoralised as we aim for eradication of corruption only."
Removing the smokescreen from the sky, the chairman NAB said he never demanded arbitrary authority. He said that the bureau is in no way aspiring for sweeping powers as enjoyed by anti-corruption bodies in Saudi Arabia. He said regretfully that he was particularly shocked by the reservations raised by a businessman who had recently written a letter for praising the anti-graft body's performance.
He further pointed out that NAB officers would never let such insinuations affect their performance or morale and would continue to protect national interests. He said NAB is working independently within the law.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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