National Accountability Bureau Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry has defended plea bargaining and voluntary return of money and said action will be taken against all those involved in major cases of corruption.“We have decided to lay hands on all those involved in mega corruption cases irrespective of party or social differentiation,” he said at a function here on Saturday. NAB has been facing severe criticism, especially from the PPP, that it is being used by the PML-N government to victimise its political opponents.The judiciary has also been criticising the bureau for “letting suspects off the hook” after striking plea bargain and voluntary return deals with them. The track record shows that NAB has always been under the influence of those sitting in the power corridors. Questions are being raised about the partisan role of NAB in the current accountability drive. It is a fact that NAB has been accused of following a ‘pick and choose’ policy; this institution was used for political victimisation in the past.
Another challenge for NAB is the timely disposal of cases. Justice delayed is justice denied. In our country, it has become a rare occurance that an aggrieved person gets justice in his lifetime. NAB has a long way to go in removing all hurdles to the timely dissemination of justice. NAB has always been considered to be under the influence of the rulers of the day. Reports clearly suggest that cases were not pursued or further probe was dropped at the behest of high ups. There is a general perception that NAB takes action against only small fish. Unless and until some notable big names from all segments, who are proved guilty of corruption, are put behind bars, no one will be convinced of NAB’s impartiality.In order to get away from its tainted past, NAB needs to take up mega corruption cases on a priority basis. While pursuing these cases, there should not be any discrimination. Another aspect of accountability in our country is the absence of across the board action. There are certain powerful institutions whose personnel remain unscathed. The concept that only civilians commit corruption while those holding office in the establishment and the judiciary are angels is not acceptable. An accountability drive should also be launched against those corrupt persons who belong to the powerful institutions in the country. Real accountability can be achieved through an impartial action against all those who are found involved in corrupt practices without any discrimination.
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