ISLAMABAD - National Accountability Bureau’s forensic lab project is in doldrums thanks to NAB’s on going inquiry against the secretary interior, The Nation has learnt reliably.
NAB had initiated inquiry against the secretary interior for illegally receiving a plot from the National Police Foundation.
Sources said that a NAB team went to interrogate the secretary interior on the issue. They further said that the interrogation has been completed while NAB has decided go head with investigation against the secretary as soon as chairman NAB returns to the county.
Well-placed sources told The Nation that NAB had submitted an application to the Interior Ministry last year asking for an NOC to establish a forensic lab. Sources said that secretary interior had rejected the application and asked the bureau to move a fresh summary with proper documentation in this regard.
Sources said that NAB further responded to queries of the Interior Ministry for the NOC as secretary interior was the competent authority to issue NOC for establishing the lab across the country.  
Sources further disclosed that NAB had launched the forensic lab project in collaboration with the Australian government to upgrade the bureau and train its officers with advance techniques.
The NAB had also proposed a summary of its forensic experts to secretary interior, which is also awaiting the secretary’s approval.
“The bureau’s forensic lab is operational while required staff had also been appointed but it would not be able to issue any forensic certificates till the NOC is received,” sources added.
Sources said that due to the non-serious attitude of the secretary interior, NAB is using Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) forensic lab and Punjab government forensic lab for investigation paying heavy amount to both labs.
NAB’s chief on the inaugural event said that the lab will help retrieve documents and files from electronic devices like cell phones, iPads, computers, and networks and will also help determine authorship of handwritings, typescripts and printed documents.