ISLAMABAD - Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (R) Javed Iqbal yesterday chaired an important meeting and reviewed the overall performance of NAB regional Bureau Lahore

The DG Lahore briefed the forum about the comparative figures of the recovery of last four years from 2017 to date. The comparison of recovery was made from 1999 to 2016 and after this till to date.

The forum was informed about last four years direct and indirect recovery including from 56 companies of Punjab, housing societies, current status of companies scam and details of convictions by accountability courts.

The DG Lahore informed that the bureau has recovered Rs 75 billion from 2017 till date. Of which Rs 14.4 billion were recovered directly and Rs 66.6 billion were recovered from the corrupt indirectly from the accused. In 17 years period from 1999 to 2016 the Lahore bureau recovered Rs 41.7 billion including Rs 17.7 billion directly and indirect recovery of Rs 23 billion. Giving details of compensation paid to affectees in 17 years period from 1999 to 2016, the Lahore bureau paid compensation to 8,500 affectees, including compensation paid to 1,629 affectees in 2014, 1,401 in 2015; and 2,524 affectees were compensated in 2016. Also 1,763 affectees were compensated indirectly. And during the tenure of current chairman, the Lahore bureau paid compensation to 58,790 affectees. Of which 14,200 were paid Rs 5.60 billion direct cash or pay order. Some 21,628 affectees were given houses, plots and flats as indirect recovery. About 22,962 affectees were provided relief by filing references in accountability courts.

Briefing about the 56 companies of Punjab, the DG said the bureau has filed four references including Lahore Parking Company (LPC), Punjab Power Development Compsny (PPDC) case and Punjab Saf Pani Compani case (PSPC). Right now the investigations on the inquiries of seven companies are at the final stage whereas the cases of 16 companies have been sent to the NAB headquarters for further action. Also some 33 inquiries have been closed or referred to other institutions for further actions. One inquiry was referred to anti-corruption establishment (ACE) and two inquiries have been merged into the ongoing inquiries.

Major recoveries from 56 companies scam included Rs 1 billion from an accused Ikram Naveed in Punjab Power Development Company (PPDC) whereas Rs 80 million were recovered in the Lahore Parking Company case through plea bargain. A major development in 56 companies case was the grant of ownership rights to 500 vehicles and heavy machinery used in cleanliness from two international firms in Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) case. The value of these vehicles and machinery is Rs 4 to 5 billion and it was made possible only through untiring efforts of the Lahore bureau staff.

The DG told the forum that the bureau had also recovered Rs 3.49 billion from Double Shah who collected money from people by promising attractive returns. Of which Rs 2.40 billion have been returned to affectees which is an important achievement.

NAB Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal lauded the achievements of the DG Lahore and reiterated his pledge to eradicate the menace of corruption from the country. He said recovering Rs 487 billion from the corrupt and depositing into national exchequer were important achievements of the bureau. Various national and international organisations have lauded the NAB’s outstanding performance.