NAB recovers Rs533b in three years, caught 'sharks and crocodiles': Javed Iqbal

He said saying, “the NAB provides protection to people and that’s the reason people settled abroad are sending remittances and business are thriving in the country.”

Addressing a cheque-distribution ceremony in Lahore, the NAB chief reiterated that none of the steps taken by the authority for strengthening the Accountability process were wrong, adding that “in fact, it was because of the NAB that our exports shooting up.”

He called upon naysayers to familiarise themselves with facts before making aggressive statements that attempt to tarnish the image of the accountability watchdog.

Justice Iqbal said that the recovery of Rs533 billion by NAB in three years was a historic development, “but still, an editorial in the newspaper claimed the NAB had made no recovery.

Next time we will bring in a machine to count notes to substantiate our statement,” he remarked, adding that the NAB would continue to do its job, whatever the situations may be.

Reacting to claims that the “NAB only catches small fish”, Justice (retd) Iqbal said the accountability watchdog had even caught “sharks and crocodiles”.

He said that the NAB had appointed a director in Islamabad to resolve complaints of businessmen within 48 hours.

“There was no complaint for three months and one was filed in the fourth month, which was a minor and personal one, but still hue and cry is raised that the watchdog is allegedly acting against the business community.”

He said we must be able to differentiate between genuine businessmen and dacoits, adding that “genuine businessmen” had no complaints against the NAB and if there were any, “our doors are open for them.”

“NAB and Pakistan are working together but NAB and corruption could not work together.”

"Some people say whatever they want in the speeches after appearing before the NAB. You don't know the truth and start the speech," he said.

It is important to know the facts and the law, he added.

According to the NAB chairman, there are some principles of criticism. If we criticize with principle, then NAB will have an opportunity to learn. He stressed that “there should be criticism for construction.”

"If you can't talk about the bright side, don't talk about the dark side," he said.

"You have to know the difference between a real businessman and a robber. To slander and ridicule the business community are never the purpose," he said.

He said casting doubts on the working and integrity of the accountability watchdog was contrary to the facts.