The significance of corruption in Asia is highlighted by the fact that whenever a political regime has crumbled in Pakistan and some other countries in South Asia, a major and often decisive cause has been the prevalence of official misconduct among politicians and administrators. The current Pakistan regime has rightly concluded that in order to provide a stable system for the future, corruption from all segments of the society must be eliminated. It is generally believed that in terms of frequency, the incidence of corruption is the highest in law enforcement agencies. In terms of the amount of corrupt money changing hands, taxation departments, state-owned bands and development finance institutions, power sector utilities, and civil works departments probably account for the lion’s share. Together, these departments and institution annually handle transactions in the order of approximately Rs.1.3 trillion. According to informal estimates, illicit income flows could amount to 10% of GDP.
Soon after 12 October 1999, The Chief Executive alluded to these problems. While spelling out his future vision of Pakistan, he enumerated a 7-point agenda to steer the country out of the present economic, social, political and administrative mess. He promised his resolve to carry out across-the-board and transparent accountability in contrast to earlier such attempts, which could not survive the malignancy of ill intent.
To eradicate corrupt practices, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been established through a Presidential Ordinance for a free, transparent, and across the board accountability, on 16 November 1999. NAB will take effective measures for detection, investigation, prosecution, and speedy disposal of cased involving corruption, corrupt practices, misuse/abuse of power, misappropriation of property and kickbacks etc, and for matters connected and ancillary or incidental thereto.
Initially only one office was established at Islamabad. Later in 2000 five regional offices were also established who correspond to the federal and provincial territorial jurisdictions.
NAB is a statutory body enjoying total operational independence. The Chairman is appointed for fixed tenure by the President in consultation with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
0
The National Accountability Bureau
Started by
pakistan_forever
, Apr 24 2004 12:24 PM
4 replies to this topic
#1
pakistan_forever
-
- Banned
-
- 4,962 posts
GENERAL
Posted 24 April 2004 - 12:24 PM
Pakistan of Today, is NOT the Pakistan of Yesterday!
#2
pakistan_forever
-
- Banned
-
- 4,962 posts
GENERAL
Posted 24 April 2004 - 12:25 PM
NAB recovers a record Rs 175bn looted money
By Ibrahim Khan
ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which is headed by Lt Gen Munir Hafiez, has created a record and recovered Rs175 billion ($3.172 billion) looted money in a short span of time, government officials said on Friday.
The fact was confirmed by the NAB chairman who told this correspondent in an interview in Islamabad: "Yes! We have recovered 175 billion rupees ill-gotten money."
The achievement was also trumpeted loud and clear by President General Pervez Musharraf who told the concluding session of the three-day UN Convention Against Corruption on Thursday in Islamabad that it was a big achievement of the NAB, the organiser of the Convention, which was participated by delegates from the United Nations, various international agencies and governments.
Anti-corruption initiatives were highlighted as a major governance theme with the coming into power of the present government in October 1999 and creation of the NAB as a specialised agency to eradicate the menace of corruption.
"We are much better in the recovery than many foreign countries," said Munir, adding: "The situation is improving in Pakistan."
He said: "The recovered money is helping the economy as it is being recycled in the country’s development. The money has opened new vistas of development. It is reducing poverty level."
The NAB had implemented good governance and transparency which would help the investment climate, he said. "The rupee will not fly out of the country now," he added confidently.
The NAB had particularly emphasised the introduction of "know your client’ (KYC) to avoid suspicious transactions and bring in transparency in the banking system, Munir said.
He, however, said the salaries of the government employees were very low and they should be increased commensurate with the living needs of the employees.
Munir said the NAB had gained more popularity and credibility outside Pakistan and many foreign countries were contacting the NAB on its operations, which revolved round "awareness and prevention".
While comparing Pakistan with India, he said there was more corruption in India. "The situation is improving in Pakistan."
He was of the view that the recovered money would raise the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and per capita income.
He said the concept of the NAB should be understood properly as it was created to fight corruption. The NAB had planned an expansion of operation and raise in the salaries of its employees.
While addressing the concluding session, the Chairman said: "The finalisation of the UN Convention Against Corruption is a testimony to acceptance of the problem as a menace for humanity. In the last decade, many efforts were made and professional, civil society organisations, states and political figures raised voices both in the developing and the developed world. The voice has been heard. Here, one has to mention the efforts of the Transparency International that played very significant role in raising anti-corruption in the priorities of the world’s agenda. The Corruption Perception Index and the Bribe Payers Index of the TI may not be the most accurate measures, not that you can have one for corruption, but they make headlines and provoke consciousness."
"Whether it were the millions received back by the Philippines or the billion returned to Nigeria, the amounts were insignificant compared to the damage perpetrated in both these countries when these amounts were taken and whisked overseas. The return is indicative, however, of what we may be able to find, and more significantly prevent from looting if the financial systems in all countries became more interested in keeping ill-gotten money out of their jurisdictions. Cooperation in this domain is critical," he said, adding: "I feel that a change is underway, already some small but significant breakthroughs have been made. The only requirement is to continue, not to give up and not be disheartened by temporary setbacks."
He said Pakistan joined the negotiations of the UN Convention Against Corruption because it believes in the cause and it will continue to support it and other international efforts.
"The NAB is not the enemy of any particular group or individual, its target is corruption," Munir said, adding: "Let me add - no doomsday scenario - we have come a long way to progress - we need to retain the momentum."
Observers said more than one hundred countries had signed the UN Convention Against Corruption document and at least two have ratified it.
jang.com.pk
By Ibrahim Khan
ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which is headed by Lt Gen Munir Hafiez, has created a record and recovered Rs175 billion ($3.172 billion) looted money in a short span of time, government officials said on Friday.
The fact was confirmed by the NAB chairman who told this correspondent in an interview in Islamabad: "Yes! We have recovered 175 billion rupees ill-gotten money."
The achievement was also trumpeted loud and clear by President General Pervez Musharraf who told the concluding session of the three-day UN Convention Against Corruption on Thursday in Islamabad that it was a big achievement of the NAB, the organiser of the Convention, which was participated by delegates from the United Nations, various international agencies and governments.
Anti-corruption initiatives were highlighted as a major governance theme with the coming into power of the present government in October 1999 and creation of the NAB as a specialised agency to eradicate the menace of corruption.
"We are much better in the recovery than many foreign countries," said Munir, adding: "The situation is improving in Pakistan."
He said: "The recovered money is helping the economy as it is being recycled in the country’s development. The money has opened new vistas of development. It is reducing poverty level."
The NAB had implemented good governance and transparency which would help the investment climate, he said. "The rupee will not fly out of the country now," he added confidently.
The NAB had particularly emphasised the introduction of "know your client’ (KYC) to avoid suspicious transactions and bring in transparency in the banking system, Munir said.
He, however, said the salaries of the government employees were very low and they should be increased commensurate with the living needs of the employees.
Munir said the NAB had gained more popularity and credibility outside Pakistan and many foreign countries were contacting the NAB on its operations, which revolved round "awareness and prevention".
While comparing Pakistan with India, he said there was more corruption in India. "The situation is improving in Pakistan."
He was of the view that the recovered money would raise the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and per capita income.
He said the concept of the NAB should be understood properly as it was created to fight corruption. The NAB had planned an expansion of operation and raise in the salaries of its employees.
While addressing the concluding session, the Chairman said: "The finalisation of the UN Convention Against Corruption is a testimony to acceptance of the problem as a menace for humanity. In the last decade, many efforts were made and professional, civil society organisations, states and political figures raised voices both in the developing and the developed world. The voice has been heard. Here, one has to mention the efforts of the Transparency International that played very significant role in raising anti-corruption in the priorities of the world’s agenda. The Corruption Perception Index and the Bribe Payers Index of the TI may not be the most accurate measures, not that you can have one for corruption, but they make headlines and provoke consciousness."
"Whether it were the millions received back by the Philippines or the billion returned to Nigeria, the amounts were insignificant compared to the damage perpetrated in both these countries when these amounts were taken and whisked overseas. The return is indicative, however, of what we may be able to find, and more significantly prevent from looting if the financial systems in all countries became more interested in keeping ill-gotten money out of their jurisdictions. Cooperation in this domain is critical," he said, adding: "I feel that a change is underway, already some small but significant breakthroughs have been made. The only requirement is to continue, not to give up and not be disheartened by temporary setbacks."
He said Pakistan joined the negotiations of the UN Convention Against Corruption because it believes in the cause and it will continue to support it and other international efforts.
"The NAB is not the enemy of any particular group or individual, its target is corruption," Munir said, adding: "Let me add - no doomsday scenario - we have come a long way to progress - we need to retain the momentum."
Observers said more than one hundred countries had signed the UN Convention Against Corruption document and at least two have ratified it.
jang.com.pk
Pakistan of Today, is NOT the Pakistan of Yesterday!
#3
Valkyrie
-
- Senior Members
-
- 1,279 posts
BRIGADIER
Posted 24 April 2004 - 02:10 PM
:)Clp
Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - - the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.
All gave some, some gave all.
All gave some, some gave all.
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
Community Forum Software by IP.Board
Licensed to: PakistaniDefence.Com