NAB Chairman appreciates NAB Lahore's excellent performance.

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal on Tuesday said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and corruption could not go together as the anti-corruption department had been set up to serve the poor and not the rich.

Addressing a ceremony held to distribute cheques worth Rs 900 million among 660 affectees of Toyota Gujranwala Motors scandal at NAB Regional office here, he said that NAB was not an issue, but a solution to the issues.

He said that constructive criticism could help us to learn about various dimensions for taking action against corruption. But there were always two ways of criticism; so if someone could not project a positive image of NAB inspite of its visible excellent performance, he should not depress and deject people of Pakistan by indulging in criticism for the sake of criticism in order to tarnish the image of NAB.

He said that some accused persons, after appearing before the Honourable Courts hearings in various cases, speak against NAB, adding that negative criticism on NAB by some elements could not make any difference as NAB is an independent and lawful Institution which is working to take action against corruption as per law.

Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal said that in the past, it was alleged that investors and businessmen were not satisfied with NAB and the investment had been affected by the NAB operations, he added. The chairman said that if the investors were afraid of NAB action, there had not been positive trend in the stock markets of Pakistan and construction sector, as well, besides significant increase in economic reserves in the country.

He said that some elements were asking for amending the NAB laws, but they should read existing NAB laws first. He said an ordinance had also been brought earlier to amend the NAB law, which remained imposed for four months and no major decision was made during that period in the presence of the said ordinance which could be presented as an example. However, later that amendment was withdrawn.

Those intending to bring an amendment to the NAB law should read the Supreme Court's decision pertaining to Asfandyar Wali case, he added.Regarding money laundering, Honourable Mr. Javed Iqbal said that NAB would definitely continue its proceedings if there would be enough evidence including...