(April 15, 2022)
Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, and All Karachi Industrial Alliance and Former Provincial Minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is one of the most controversial institutions which is involved in political victimisation.
This institution was established to eradicate corruption, but it has always danced to the tune of rulers to help them strengthen their grip on power, he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that NAB is using funds worth billions with no output and a pathetic rate of convictions, therefore it should be closed.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the bureaucracy avoids any initiative and delays necessary decisions for fear of NAB while the private sector is reluctant to invest in Pakistan due to the same reason.
PML-N, PPP and PTI and dozens of other political parties have criticized NAB for inefficiency and corruption, but after coming to power, the same parties use this institution for their own political benefits.
NAB has nothing to do with the eradication of corruption in the country as its top officials are always ready to oblige the ruling elite.
Mian Zahid Hussain further said that the day Shahbaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister, former Prime Minister and Secretary-General of PML-N Shahid Khaqan Abbasi demanded the abolition of NAB and accountability of its officers and employees which must be acted upon without delay.
NAB has become famous for incompetence and bribery while plea bargain system is a stain on the system of the country, he said, adding that during the last three-and-a-half years, NAB has framed cases against several opposition politicians and top bureaucrats with no convictions.
Mian Zahid Hussain further said that the current gas crisis in the country was due to the incompetence of key officials of the previous government and the pursuit of personal interests besides fear of NAB.
Due to high LNG prices in the global market, gas was not procured for the months of April, May and June, which affected the gas supply in the country and caused heavy losses to the economy.
