Q.1
Is NAB selective in its work?
Ans. Bureau works in accordance with prevailing law and regulations.
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Q.2
What is the role of NAB as specified in the law?
Ans. NAB is entrusted with the task of eliminating corruption
through a comprehensive approach of Awareness, Prevention and
Enforcement.
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Q.3
What crimes can be prosecuted under the purview of NAB?
Ans. Corruption and corrupt practices, misuse and abuse of
authority, Assets beyond known sources of income as specified in the
NAO 1999. NAB's role is only limited to investigation and prosecution of
cases in the courts.
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Q.4
Does NAB target political opponents?
Ans. Alleging NAB for preferential treatment or favouritism and its
use as a political expedient by the Government does not bear the
testimony to facts. Bureau cannot restrict anyone from taking
part in the political activities till the time the case is under
investigation or prosecution in court.
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Q.5
Is NAB an independent organization?
Ans. NAB is as independent as any other constitutional body in the
country. It is rather more independent of political pressures as it
is only answerable to the President of Pakistan which is an
apolitical institution.
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Q.6
Whom does the Chairman NAB report to?
Ans. Chairman NAB being head of an Autonomous Institution reports to
none. The provisions of NAO, does not lay down any reporting
system except the Annual Performance Report, which is mandatory to
be presented to the President of Pakistan by 30th March, every year,
regulates the investigation and prosecution process in the NAB.
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Q.7
Is there across the board accountability by NAB?
Ans. The National Accountability Bureau follows a policy of fair,
impartial and across the board accountability. Cases are
inquired/investigated by NAB on pure merit and do not bear any
special preferences or prejudices of political victimization against
any individual.
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Q.8
People had high hopes about NAB but NAB has not delivered?
Ans. The impression is not true. The aim
of the Organization is to be an effective and transparent
anticorruption agency in order to meet the challenges of the future.
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Q.9
Is NAB on a downhill road?
Ans. The impression is not true. It is striving for its goal as part
of national duty.
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Q.10
Why are the serving armed forces personnel exempt from the
accountability process?
Ans. The armed forces have their own accountability process, which
provides for strict action against cases of corruption. Moreover,
the NAO does not provide for accountability of serving armed forces
personnel.
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Q.11
The civil society and the jurists have certain serious
reservations about the NAO?
Ans. There is no denying the fact that there were reservations but
as a result of Mr. Asfandyar Wali case, the
Supreme Court examined the NAO and directed necessary amendments.
NAO is adopted by the Parliament as an enactment through the 17 amendment. Now that
the ordinance has passed through legal process of evolution, it is
admitted as suitable law for the purpose it is designed.
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Q.12. Why is the judiciary exempt from the NAB ambit?
Ans. There is Supreme Judicial Council, which decides allegations
and misconduct cases in judiciary. Moreover, bringing the judiciary
under an administrative action will amount to compromising its
independence.
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Q.13. Plea bargain is being taken as NABs discretionary authority
to be selective?
Ans. There is a misconception about the 'Plea-Bargain'. The
concept has been borrowed from the American Criminal Practice Code
where Attorney General is vested with discretion of prosecution and
even dropping of charge / charges. However with reference to NAO, the Plea Bargain option is
exercised by the accused at his own accord. It is a plea of guilty
in exchange for lesser punishment. Such a person is disqualified
from holding public office and obtaining loan from bank. Being
deemed to be guilty only sentence of imprisonment is waived. The
allegation of discrimination while deciding Plea bargain amount is
not true also as this matter is decided by plea bargain committee
comprising of banking and legal experts.
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Q.14
NAB was initially created to catch the 'Big Fish' but it has been
unsuccessful?
Ans. Court convictions of large number
of high ranking politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen through
effective investigation and prosecution of bureau has no parallel in the
anticorruption history of Pakistan. Nearly in all cases, the
Big Fish were prosecuted.
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Q.15
Is there any internal accountability system in NAB?
Ans. Yes, there is an efficient vigilance wing maintaining strict
over watch on officials working within the organization.
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Q.16
The standard of investigation in NAB is not up to the desired
level?
Ans. The investigation of corruption cases at times didn't measure
up to the new techniques in crime. Therefore, capacity building
training exercises are being regularly conducted at bureau to improve
and enhance the expertise of officers of NAB.
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Q.17
Are Accountability Courts working under NAB?
Ans. No. Accountability Courts are working under the administrative
and operational control of High Courts and independently of NAB.
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Q.18
How does NAB interface with other anti-corruption agencies
abroad?
Ans. It coordinates and cooperates with the international agencies
in the cause of eradicating corruption. Training, extradition,
assets investigation, freezing of Assets / Accounts are some of the
key areas of mutual cooperation. Since there is a flight of capital
in corruption to foreign destinations interaction with agencies
abroad is necessary.
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Q.19
Can NAB take on the challenges of an effective anticorruption
agency of
Pakistan?
Ans. NAB is a modern, dynamic anticorruption agency. With capacity
building, and continued public support it will take any challenge to
combat corruption.
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Q.20
What is the procedure for initiating a case in NAB?
Ans. A genuine complaint to NAB with proof of evidence &
allegations and evidence starts the three-tier process of inquiry,
investigation and prosecution.
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Q.21
Where does NAB go from here, how do you see the future of this
organization?
Ans. The future of the Bureau depends on performance of the Bureau
and the support of the political leadership. With steady growth in
performance, it will emerge as a potent anti-corruption agency in
the Region.
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Q.22
Should NAB be focusing more on enforcement rather than awareness?
Ans. Both are of equal significance.
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Q.23
Prevention is the cornerstone of the National Anticorruption
Strategy. Is NAB interacting with the public sector to educate them?
Ans. NACS is an effective forum for interaction with public sector.
It has performed the assigned role quite/effectively.
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Q.24
Is there any political cell in NAB?
Ans. No such cell exists.
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