NAB Blues?
Trying to resolve a major financial dispute between a private sector entity and a public sector organisation, the Minister-in-Charge gathered both the parties in good faith recently in Islamabad. It was soon clear that the public sector entity had no intention of accepting the truth and was mainly engaged in confusing the issues. Frustrated at their attitude, we requested the Minister for an impartial audit to be carried out by any well renowned mutually acceptable independent auditor. We were taken aback when the public sector entity asked for an immediate enquiry by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). That in fact was our own objective, to have professional accountants look at the records and on the basis of their findings to take it to NAB for prosecution of those in that particular Corporation who had been involved in fraud, forgery, perjury, misrepresentation and misinformation. The ready willingness of those whom we had no doubt had indulged in skullduggery to go to NAB in the first instance was really surprising. It was only after the meeting that we discovered why. It transpired that these characters had earlier been investigated by NAB officials on other issues, contrary to being held accountable for their misdemeanours they had compromised those enquiring into their affairs. Control of a public sector organisation allows a number of inducements to be possible, cushy job placements for relatives and/or friends, petty contracts, etc, in this case it included the job of a Chief Security Officer as a starter. Not surprising that those whom we wanted exposed should have audacity to suggest NAB, these “veterans” knew NAB could be manipulated to their satisfaction. That is the measure of what NAB has ultimately become, the sum of a few rascals in authority with a willingness to do “business” with the corrupt. NAB may do a hundred good things, a few bad fish have spoilt the entire pond. The guilty have reason to feel confident that they have derailed the moral sanctity behind NAB’s accountability process to suit their own purposes.
When Amjad became the Chairman of the newly commissioned NAB last October, great things were expected from him. In the Army he had acquired a reputation as a clean, honest (to a fault) and professionally competent soldier (and he remains one). He methodically set about cleaning the dirty stables of the muck-filled Pakistani farm, and if not rid us altogether of nepotism and corruption, putting the fear of God into a majority of the corrupt lot, their illegal activities could no longer be carried out openly without any questions or fear. Not only the hopes of the COAS and the Pakistan Army but that of the entire nation rested upon him. One forgave him his first “bull-in-a-China shop” steps because of inexperience and a nation hungry that the guilty be brought to justice. In the process a number of well-known businessmen were hauled up and subjected to extreme discomfort, if not third degree treatment. Obviously this was playing to the gallery and the people of Pakistan were generally delighted at what they thought was just retribution for those who had looted the country’s wealth for over five decades. It soon transpired that at least some of the process was out of personal motivation, others were not well thought out. Some of those held were totally innocent. One after the other, those who could connect and/or compromise made their way back to freedom. The failure of NAB to hold those clearly guilty, particularly due to lack of evidence and despite the draconian NAB Ordinance, was extremely disappointing for both the intelligentsia and the masses of Pakistan. Perception is nine-tenths of the law, a backlash set in. To obtain results Amjad resorted to legitimising dishonesty, an amendment was enacted to NABO wherein if you returned the illegal wealth and/or penalties thereof imposed by the Chairman NAB, you could escape punishment. This undercut the moral authority of NAB to function.
