NAB puts maximum 10-month limit for disposal of cases

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) says it has rationalised its workflow for expeditious disposal of cases, putting a maximum limit of 10 months from complaint verification to filing of reference in the accountability court.

NAB Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal presided over a fortnightly meeting on Friday to review the Bureau's performance operation, prosecution and all regional bureaus at its headquarters.

During the meeting, it was informed that NAB has rationalised its workload and timelines have been prescribed for efficient, effective and expeditious disposal of cases putting a maximum limit of 10 months—from complaint verification to inquiry to investigation and finally to a reference in the accountability court.

The chairman said NAB was the only organisation which has prescribed a maximum time limit of 10 months for expeditious disposal of mega-corruption white-collar-crime cases which is a challenging task, but the Bureau is committed to beating the clock by putting in hard work and ensuring a corruption free Pakistan as per law.

He said NAB has also introduced a Combine Investigation Team (CIT) system in order to benefit from the experience and collective wisdom of senior supervisory officers. This system is not only lending quality to the work but also ensuring that no single individual can influence NAB's official proceedings. Due to this reason, he said, NAB first time in a year filed 600 corruption references in the accountability courts.

The NAB chairman directed all investigation officers to have a case diary of each case which is very important and will help improve the quality of inquiry and investigation.

During the meeting, it was informed that on the directions of the chairman, the Prosecution Division has been revamped by inducting experienced legal consultants/special prosecutors.

"A mechanism of handling of witnesses has been established in all the regional bureaus and the result of this intervention is very encouraging," said the NAB chairman, adding that, due to constant deliberations, monitoring and performance analysis of Prosecution Division, the overall conviction ratio is approximately 70 per cent in the accountability courts which is one of the best conviction ratios.

He said that NAB has also appointed research officers for assistance in preparation of cases and established an e-library at its headquarters.

"NAB plans to have access with Higher Education Commission (HEC) Library which will be beneficial for NAB prosecutors in future," said the NAB chairman.

Originally published in The News