ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has escalated efforts for retrieval of over Rs1 trillion in more than 1,300 corruption cases in last three to five years.
In a meeting chaired by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal was given updates regarding mega-corruption and other related cases which have been filed in various accountability courts, reported Dawn.
Over Rs500 billion have to be recovered in 176 mega-corruption cases and 91 under-trial references and Rs900 billion have to be retrieved in over 1,138 references. Predominantly, these cases are linked to NAB Karachi and Rawalpindi regions.
The accountability courts will be approached by NAB for speedy disposal of these references, so the plundered amount is returned to the national exchequer.
NAB’s official press release revealed NAB Chairman sought data from bureau’s prosecution and operation division regarding 287 investigations, 500 inquiries and 1,138 under-trial references to establish standing of these cases.
Iqbal voiced his ire at the delay in preparation of references and lack of pursuance on part of prosecution wing in under-trial cases. He queried as to why under-investigation and under-inquiry cases weren’t filed in courts within set period of ten months.
Over 176 mega-corruption cases against top political brass of Pakistan are being probed, which includes Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, ex-President Asif Ali Zardari, ex-PM’s Raja Pervez Ashraf and Yousaf Raza Gillani.
The amount in mega-corruption runs into hundreds of billions out of which NAB is expected to only recover around Rs500 billion, it was learnt.
Former Federal Minister, Dr Asim Hussain of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is currently under investigation in a mega-corruption case amounting to over Rs462 billion. Other cases include private housing societies being probed by NAB, Rawalpindi which involves over Rs20 billion.
And Rs5 billion has to be recovered by NAB in a case from ex-Sindh minister Sharjeel Memon and Rs20 billion has to be retrieved in Modaraba cases.
