Pakistan’s NAB and Transparency International Explore Joint Anti-Corruption Efforts
Islamabad : A four-member delegation from Transparency International (TI), led by Chair François Valérian, met Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lt. Gen. (R) Nazir Ahmed, at NAB Headquarters to discuss transparency, accountability, and avenues for enhanced cooperation.
The delegation included Justice (R) Zia Perwez, Advocate Daniyal Muzaffar, and Kashif Ali. Deputy Chairman NAB Sohail Nasir and senior NAB officers were also present.
The meeting focused on anti-corruption initiatives, institutional reforms, and the importance of collaboration between national accountability institutions and international civil society organizations. Chairman NAB emphasized the need for coordinated national and global efforts to counter corruption, noting its cross-border implications for the rule of law and public trust.
Chairman NAB briefed the delegation on comprehensive structural reforms, including digital transformation, AI-assisted investigations, blockchain analysis, and digital forensics. He noted that these measures led to record recoveries of Rs. 6.213 trillion in 2005, raising total recoveries over the past three years to Rs. 11.3 trillion.
He also highlighted NAB’s citizen-centric initiatives, including Facilitation Cells in regional offices, Accountability and Business Facilitation Centres, a Witness Protection and Support System, and Khuli Katcheries. The bureau provided relief to 115,587 victims of fraudulent housing and investment schemes and established profit-bearing accounts to preserve the time value of recovered funds.
Chairman NAB stressed that, while international indices like the Corruption Perceptions Index are valuable, NAB prioritizes results-based frameworks that measure tangible outcomes such as asset recovery and successful prosecutions of high-profile cases. He suggested that NAB and TI could collaborate on sharing authentic data for more accurate and evidence-based assessments.
Mr. François Valérian commended NAB’s reform agenda and its commitment to international anti-corruption standards. Both sides agreed to strengthen mutual engagement, including capacity-building initiatives and constructive collaboration, to foster a culture of integrity and good governance in Pakistan.
