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NAB recovers Rs455 billion in cash from corrupt individuals, Hamdard Shura Karachi told

Webmaster — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 05:07:12 +0000

KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered Rs. 455 billion in cash from corrupt individuals. NAB’s internal accountability system is proactive in acting on complaints from citizens, NAB has arrested several serving officers involved in misuse of authority. Tax evasion has become a widespread practice, and it must be discouraged strictly, says a Press release.
Masood Ahmed, Additional Director of Investigation NAB Sindh, expressed these views Wednesday at the meeting of Hamdard Shura Karachi, held at Hamdard Corporate Head Office. The session was chaired by Shura Speaker Gen (Retd) Moinuddin Haider. The topic of the meeting was “The Need for an Accountability Process.” Sadia Rashid (Hilal-e-Imtiaz), President of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan, also attended the session.
Masood Ahmed said that during the fiscal year 2023-24, NAB took major action and retrieved 2.29 million acres of land from the Sindh Forest Department that was under illegal occupation. The land is worth over Rs. 2 trillion. The occupying groups had severely damaged the forests on this land.
He added that NAB also recovered Rs. 12 billion from several fraudulent housing schemes and returned the amount to the affected victims. Since its establishment, NAB has recovered land and other assets worth billions of rupees, which are categorized as indirect recoveries. In addition, NAB has taken legal action against hundreds of individuals involved in bribery and fraud.
He further said that in 2022, NAB laws were amended to clearly define the institution’s jurisdiction. Under the new rules, NAB can take legal action only in cases of corruption involving over Rs. 500 million. Additionally, the NAB Ordinance does not apply to individuals living abroad. In cases of suspicious money transfers in bank accounts, only the transactions made after the inquiry begins can be included in the investigation. Moreover, to prove bribery, there must be evidence showing the transfer of money from one bank account to the accused’s account.
“Plea bargain is a legal term. It does not mean giving the accused relief from punishment, but offering partial exemption from charges if the accused admits guilt before the trial begins. Under the NAB Ordinance, plea bargain is allowed in cases of financial corruption and misuse of authority to save the court’s time and resources, and to ensure swift and effective resolution. However, even after accepting a plea bargain, the accused can be declared ineligible for public office. The illegally earned money is confiscated, heavy fines are imposed, and the person’s reputation in society suffers serious damage.”
“FATF had serious concerns regarding money laundering. To comply with international regulations, the government has now made it mandatory for banks to set up an automatic alert system. This system must detect any large transaction that does not match the account’s usual activity and report it to the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU).”
“Under this mechanism, the FMU examines such transactions and informs the relevant authorities if needed,” he concluded.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Speaker Shura Col (Retd) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt, Professor Dr. Tanveer Khalid, Cdre (Retd) Sadeed Anwar Malik, Engineer Parvez Sadiq, Shehla Ahmed, Huma Baig, Musarrat Akram, Professor Dr. Khalida Ghous, Professor Dr. Amir Tauseen, Engineer Ibn-ul-Hassan, Professor Dr. Amjad Jafri, and other distinguished members.

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SC stops govt from any interference in prosecution process of the NAB & FIA

Webmaster — Thu, 19 May 2022 22:35:18 +0000

ISLAMABAD: Taking up the suo moto case on apprehensions that people at the helm of affairs might undermine criminal justice, the Supreme Court on Thursday barred the government from making new appointments as well as transferring and postings officers of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) who are investigating high-profile cases in the country.
On the recommendation of a judge of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial a day earlier took suo moto notice over ‘perceived interference’ in the prosecution department and formed a five-member larger bench in the matter.
Heading the five-member larger bench in the case on Thursday, the chief justice issued notices to the FIA director general, NAB chairman and interior secretary. The bench also issued directives to the concerned parties to give an explanation as to why there was “interference” in criminal cases, and stopped the NAB and FIA from withdrawing cases till further orders. Notices have also been served on all the provincial prosecutor generals and advocate generals in the matter.
The top court has also sought explanation from the FIA and the NAB for the transfer/posting of officials in the prosecution and investigation wing. The bench asked both the institutions to submit details pertaining to the past six months record about transfer/posting of officials in FIA and NAB.
The court also asked to be informed about the steps being taken to protect the record of criminal cases and directed for the record of high-profile cases to be checked and sealed. Responding to the objection of Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf over the directives, the chief justice plainly said the record of ongoing cases would not be sealed except that of the prosecution.
During the hearing, the chief justice observed that there should be “no interference in the prosecution process or the prosecution wing”, adding that the FIA’s former director Mohammad Rizwan, who was probing the money laundering charges against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz, was also transferred and later he died of a heart attack.
“We are concerned over these developments,” the CJP said. Justice Bandial also remarked that according to news reports, “thousands” of people benefitted after their names were removed from the no-fly list.
“We have been seeing such news reports for the past one month. This has an effect on the rule of law,” the CJP said, adding that it was the court’s responsibility to maintain peace and trust in society under the constitution. The CJP also stated that the suo motu was not meant to embarrass or hold anyone responsible, “it is meant to protect the criminal justice system and the rule of law.”
Citing media reports relating to the new ECL policy, the chief justice observed a change in the policy about removal of names from the exit-control list (ECL) will benefit as many as 3,000 people. The chief justice asked the attorney general for Pakistan to submit details of the new policy and its beneficiaries.
“The court wants to know about the changes in the policy of ECL and how the people whose names are there on the list will be benefitted,” he said.
The chief justice expressed that the court is not afraid of criticism and does not need praise, saying the court is always intended to dispense justice to the people. While mentioning strong social media cells of the political parties, the chief justice said that the court has been observing it silently. However, the bench made it clear that nobody would be allowed to play with the judicial system. Later, the bench adjourned the hearing of the case till May 27.
Meanwhile, terming the directives “historic and golden”, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid alleged that incumbent Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah himself removed his and other people’s names from the ECL without the approval of the cabinet.
“They have 50 years of experience about giving themselves NRO,” said Rashid. The former interior minister accused the ruling PML-N of changing the files of the cases against its leadership and appointing its workers to the prosecuting department. All those officers working on the cases against the Sharif family have been removed, he added.
Rashid further informed that as soon as Shahbaz Sharif assumed the charge of PM’s Office, DG FIA Sanaullah Abbasi was removed and the prosecutor showed disinterest in cases against the family in the court. He alleged that FIA’s whole record had been shifted to two houses in Lahore’s Model Town. “This week is very important as major decisions will be made during the next seven days,” said the ex-interior minister. – TLTP

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NAB Karachi organises awareness walk on Int’l Anti-Corruption Day

Webmaster — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:07:00 +0000

KARACHI: In compliance of the direction of Chairman NAB Justice Javed Iqbal and NAB’s motto “Our Faith, Corruption Free Pakistan”, NAB Karachi organized an awareness walk against Tuesday in line with the International Anti-Corruption Day which is observed every year under United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
The awareness walk against corruption commenced from Chunky Monkey Restaurant to A.K Khan Park at Sea View, Clifton Karachi. DG NAB Karachi Dr. Najaf Quli Mirza (PSP) led the walk. Officers and officials of NAB, large number of people from all walks of life including Notables from Academia, students of educational institutions, philanthropists, Sindh Boys Scouts and Functionaries from Govt Departments participated in the walk.
NAB is commemorating International Anti-Corruption days w.e.f 26 November to 12 December 2021 and organizing events throughout this period at schools, colleges, universities and local administration.
Dr. Najaf Quli Mirza (PSP), DG NAB Karachi while addressing the participants of awareness walk extended gratitude and highlighted the importance of public awareness regarding ill effects of corruption. He said that NAB Karachi over the past few years has geared up its operations against the corrupt and has been trying to its utmost. Under the dynamic vision and guidance of Honorable Chairman NAB Justice Javed Iqbal, NAB Karachi has remained successful in achieving the confidence of public at large. All officers and staff of the Bureau are part and parcel of the performance.
DG NAB (K) further highlighted the role of youth in eradication of corruption from society. He said, heavy responsibility lie on the shoulders of youth to become part of struggle to root out corruption. In this regard, NAB has formed Character Building Societies at schools, colleges and universities with the spirit of prevention of corruption and raising awareness among the general masses. DG NAB (K) also said that teachers should play their role actively to purge this society from menace of corruption, nepotism and favoritism by training the youth, imparting education and character building.
He appreciated the role of media particularly in the field of investigative journalism that exposes and brings to surface several cases of corruption. He reiterated NAB’s commitment to eradicate corruption from society, with zero tolerance policy and proactive approach of “Accountability for All”.
Highlighting the role of all stakeholders, public representatives and coalition partners, he said that all segments of society will have to join hands and take forward the mission of NAB to rid this society from the menace of corruption.
At the end of walk, Dr. Najaf Quli Mirza, DG NAB Karachi thanked to all participants for joining walk and raising voice against corruption.

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NAB chief to give in-camera briefing to PAC on Jan 6

Webmaster — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:48:39 +0000

ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned its next session on January 6 for an in-camera briefing of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Justice Retired Javed Iqbal.
Rana Tanveer said that it will be an in-camera session in which the committee summoned details of recoveries from the NAB.
The NAB chairman Justice Retired Javed Iqbal reached Parliament House Tuesday and appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Upon arriving at the Parliament House, the NAB chairman Javed Iqbal told the reporters that the importance of the parliament is obvious. He added that he failed to appear before the parliament due to his busy schedule.
Iqbal said that the comments of those persons who are facing corruption cases did not bother him. He rejected the allegations of ‘selective accountability’.
During the Public Accounts Committee’s session being chaired by Rana Tanveer, the PAC chairman welcomed the National Accountability Bureau chairman in the session.
Javed Iqbal said that the supremacy of the parliament is obvious and he realised the fact that he did not appear one or two times despite being summoned due to legitimate reasons.
“I’m not a Mughal monarch who keeps right not to appear before the Parliament. I had always appeared before the PAC and considered it as an honour for me. I will also appear in future whenever being summoned.” – NNI

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NAB has solid evidence of money laundering of by big fish: Chairman

Webmaster — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 06:55:27 +0000

ISLAMABAD: Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman National Accountability Bureau has said that NAB has solid evidence of money-laundering of billions of rupees by the big fish which were laundered by opening fake accounts in the names of ‘falooda wala’, ‘chhabri wala’ and ‘paupar wala’ etc.
The Learned Accountability courts in which NAB had filed references against accused persons are the relevant authority to decide about the innocence of any accused person as per law.
The people who are claiming about their innocence in media should better request the concerned learned Accountability court to have hearing of their cases on a day to day basis so that they plead about their innocence where law will take its own course of action. NAB would continue performing its national duties without caring about any baseless media reports and propaganda against NAB as an institution as per law.
He said that NAB is committed to the logical conclusion of mega corruption cases by utilizing all available resources as per law. He said that NAB had constituted a Combined Investigation Team (CIT) to benefit from the collective wisdom of senior supervisory officers. He said the CIT had the services of director, additional director, investigation officer, legal counsel and experts of the monetary and land revenue department which is lending quality.
He said NAB was the focal institution of Pakistan under the UN Convention against corruption and the chairman of SAARC Anti-Corruption Forum. He said NAB was considered a role model organization in SAARC countries.
The Chairman said that NAB from Oct 2017 to Ovt, 2021 has recovered Rs 538 billion directly and indirectly from corrupt elements which is a record achievement as compared to other years which shows a commitment and dedication of NAB officers towards performance of their national responsibilities in eradication of corruption from the country. He said that there are 1278 corruption cases, having an accumulative volume of approximately Rs. 1335 billion, are under trial in various accountability courts of the country.
The performance of NAB has been lauded by reputed national and international institutions. The Bureau is the focal organization of Pakistan under the United National Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Pakistan is the only country with whom China has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for eradication of corruption.
The performance of NAB is being reviewed regularly on the basis of a monitoring and evaluation system so that it could be improved further. He said that youth is our future; NAB has signed an MOU with Higher Education Commission in order to aware youth about the ill effects of corruption in universities and colleges at an early age.
Under this initiative, NAB has successfully established more than 50 thousand Character Building Societies in various universities and colleges besides constituting prevention committees in consultations with respective provincial and federal government departments in order to assist them to identify and plug loopholes in order to check corruption. He said that as per Gillani and Gallup survey, 59 percent people have shown trust upon NAB.
He said that NAB has devised a comprehensive Quantified Grading System in order to further improve the performance of NAB Headquarter and all Regional Bureaus. Under Quantified Grading System, NAB Headquarters and Regional Bureau’s are being evaluated on annual and midterm basis at a given criteria which has proved very successful in increasing the performance of NAB. – NNI

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NAB to recover 8mn pound fine from Sharif in Avenfield case

Webmaster — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 08:25:20 +0000

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated a process for recovery of the eight million pounds fine imposed on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Avenfield reference.
Sources revealed on Tuesday that National Accountability Bureau said in its correspondence with deputy commissioners to finalise the modalities to recover the fine amount that court has imposed on Nawaz Sharif with the proceeds of his sale-able properties.
The concerned authorities have been asked to initiate recovery proceedings under provisions of Land Revenue Act 1967 through auction of the convict’s properties.
The eight million pounds fine imposed on Nawaz Sharif in Avenfield reference is estimated at around Rs1.85 billion.
The Bureau has been reported that it has provided details of sale-able properties of Nawaz Sharif to the DCs including a total of 940 Kanals agriculture land at Moza Manak and approximately 299 Kanals farm land at Moza Badoki, over 103 Kanals of land at Moza Mall and about 312 Kanal in Moza Sultanki.
Former prime minister’s properties also included 14 Kanal agriculture land at Mandiali, Sheikhupura and residential house number 135 at Upper Mall Lahore.
The NAB has further stated that the proceeds that will be recovered from the sale of the properties will be used for the development of the country.
Avenfield case
In July 18, an accountability court in Islamabad awarded a 10 years sentence to Nawaz Sharif amid imposing a fine of eight million pounds in a case linked to the Sharif family’s purchase of upscale London flats.
It said the Sharifs could not legitimately show the money trail for the purchase of the luxury properties in London, mostly in the mid-1990s. A copy of the verdict said the Sharif family had failed to prove a legal source of income for the purchase of the Avenfield apartments. The verdict came as a serious blow to PML-N’s troubled campaign ahead of the July 25 elections.
Consequently, Nawaz Sharif filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court against the judgement which was dismissed. Nawaz and his son Hussain Nawaz Sharif were declared proclaimed offenders in the case and arrest warrants were issued against them.
The PML-N founder’s daughter Maryam Nawaz and Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar were accused in the case as well. Maryam has been sentenced to seven years in prison and a fine of two million pounds has been imposed on her. Safdar has, on the other hand, been given a punishment of a year in prison. – TLTP

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NAB proposes reference against Hafeez Shaikh

Webmaster — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 00:38:53 +0000

KARACHI: While giving its recommendation on Monday to register reference against former finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, former Chairman FBR Abdullah Yousuf and others over alleged misuse of power top anti-graft body Karachi office
Top anti-graft body Karachi office on Monday gave its recommendation to National Accountability Bureau headquarter to proceed with a reference against former finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, former Chairman FBR Abdullah Yousuf and others over alleged abuse of power during their tenures.
A private television reported that Shaikh and Yousuf are accused of causing a loss of $11.125 million to the national kitty while being in power. The decision to recommend reference against Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Abdullah Yousuf was taken in a regional board meeting of NAB Sindh.
The graft-buster spokesperson informed that DG NAB Sindh Najaf Mirza chaired the meeting in the matter and recommended the registration of two corruption references and the transformation of two complaints into inquiries.
Former finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh who was asked to step down as Finance Minister by Prime Minister after defeat in the Senate Election against PDM’s joint candidate, Yousuf Raza Gilani is also facing alleged corruption charges in a case pertaining to illegal payment of US$10 million from the national exchequer during his previous tenure as the finance minister.
Hafeez Shaikh is facing charges of illegal payments from the exchequer in the previous periods. He is accused of corruption over a million dollars. – TLTP

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NAB moves SC to get Hamza bail cancelled

Webmaster — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 09:15:57 +0000

ISLAMABAD: The NAB has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) to get the bail of (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz cancelled.
The NAB has asked the apex court in its appeal to annul a decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) granting bail to the Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz on February 24.
The accountability watchdog pleaded that the LHC neglected the facts in the case as his case does not pertain to hardship. “Granting bail to Hamza Shahbaz will create a hindrance in the NAB inquiry,” the plea read while demanding to cancel the LHC order.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on February 24 granted post-arrest bail to PML-N leader and Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz in the assets beyond means case.
A two-judge bench of the high court directed him to furnish two surety bonds worth Rs1 million each to secure the bail. The court ordered that Hamza be set free if he is not required to be detained in any other case.
The court approved his bail after hearing arguments of his lawyers and the NAB prosecutor. The prosecutor requested the high court to dismiss the PML-N MPA’s bail stating he amassed more assets than his sources of income justified besides being involved in money laundering. He added Hamza Shahbaz Sharif’s was not an ordinary case.
Advocate Azam Nazir Tarar and Amjad Pervez appeared before the court on behalf of Hamza Shahbaz, stating that their client was arrested in the assets beyond means and money laundering case on June 11, 2019. The corruption watchdog filed the reference in the case after fourteen months since his arrest while he was indicted 16 months later, they added. – TLTP

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NAB summons PSMA chief on 25th in sugar scandal

Webmaster — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:10:09 +0000

RAWALPINDI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi office has decided to summon all the persons nominated in the sugar scandal after receiving records from the relevant institutions on Thursday.
The anti-graft watchdog issued a call-up notice to Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) chairman Sikandar Muhammad Khan. The accused was asked to appear before NAB investigators along with records on March 25 in Islamabad.
Sources said that NAB has asked him to provide details of the subsidy granted on sugar between 2017 and 2019, as well as details of sugar production and its cost during the period of three years.
Moreover, the relevant records of in-house meetings of the sugar mill owners and the report which recommended the federal government to grant subsidy during the three-year period were also sought by the NAB investigators.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal had greenlighted investigation into the wheat and sugar scandal in April last year. The approval had been given in an executive board meeting where it was decided that the NAB will also thoroughly investigate alleged smuggling of wheat and sugar and subsidies to the sectors.
It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government had made public reports of a high-level inquiry into the sugar and wheat crises that had hit the people hard across the country in January 2020.
Under the stewardship of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general Wajid Zia, two teams had carried out a probe into the crises and furnished their reports to the prime minister upon completion for perusal. Prime Minister Khan had gone through the report before it was made public.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had also vowed legal action against those responsible for the sugar and wheat price hike after the detailed forensic reports.
Meanwhile, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz in the Raiwind land transfer case on March 26.
The PML-N leader has also been summoned by the anti-graft authority in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case on the same date. The NAB has directed Maryam to bring all the required documentation at the time of her appearance.
The anti-graft body has alleged that at least 1,440 kanals of land was transferred in Maryam’s name. This happened after 2013 when 3,568 kanals of land was transferred in the name of the Sharif family.
The NAB has alleged that 3,568 kanals land was purchased by the Sharif family in 2013. Out of this, the largest share – 1,936 kanals or 242 acres – was transferred in the name of Shamim Bibi, the mother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. The property transferred against Maryam’s name was from this share of the property.
In August 2020, NAB’s Lahore bureau expanded its scope of investigation against the Sharif family in the case. The master plan of Lahore was introduced in 2004. However it was amended in 2013 through a notification by the Lahore district council, and the residential areas of Raiwind tehsil were transferred and categorised as agricultural land. Sources said the amendments were introduced to benefit the Sharif family.
Earlier on Wednesday, the PML-N leader was summoned by NAB on March 26 for the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case as well. – TLTP

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NAB recovers land worth Rs21bn thru plea bargain in fake A/c case

Webmaster — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:37:29 +0000

RAWALPINDI: In a major development in a fake bank accounts case, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday approved a plea bargain of Rs21 billion from an accused.
The NAB’s Rawalpindi office recovered 562 acres of land, worth Rs21 billion, in plea bargain in the fake bank accounts case.
The land was recovered from accused Ahsan Elahi. NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar termed the recovery a ‘great success’ of the anti-graft watchdog’s Rawalpindi office.
According to NAB officials, in 2012, a committee comprising government officials transferred 562 acres of land to Ghulam Hussain Hilari and Yousuf Edhi. The 562 acres of government land were transferred to Malir Bin Qasim in exchange for 29 acres of private land. Moreover, the 262 acres of the illegally transferred land belonged to the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
The NAB alleged that the Sindh government had taken the land from the PSM in the name of constructing a university and a yard for oil tankers. However, neither was a university constructed, nor was the yard built.
Ghulam Hussain Hilari and Yousuf Edhi reportedly transferred the land to accused Ahsan Elahi through a front man identified as Aftab Pathan, who planned to set up a housing society on the same land.
According to NAB, the accused offered a Rs35 million bribe to Sindh Building Control Authority DG Manzoor Qadir to get the approval for the housing society, whereas the money taken as bribe and kickbacks was deposited in fake bank accounts.
During a hearing held late last year, the apex court asked the country’s top graft buster to submit details of the 28 fake bank accounts identified during a probe into a mega money laundering scandal that involves the top leaders of the PPP.
A three-judge bench presided over by Justice Mushir Alam had issued this directive while hearing the bail application of one of the accused, Muhammad Umair, in the case – a peon whose bank account was used for a monetary transaction worth over Rs580 million.
During the course of proceedings, the counsel for the accused said no action was taken against the main accused – including PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur – but his client was singled out for alleged persecution despite the fact that he was a co-accused. – TLTP

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