News Desk |
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairperson, Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, announced that arrested officials would no longer be handcuffed. Earlier this month, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared handcuffing accused persons by the NAB officials as a move against Islam and Shariah laws.
A resolution was passed by the council, declaring manacling persons by the anti-corruption watchdog before being proven guilty against contrary to Islamic law. The CII stated in the resolution that the act also came under violation of the Pakistani Constitution.
Bureaucracy is the backbone of the country and if it does not make decisions, then how can we? The government drafts policies and it is the bureaucracy’s job to implement them.
The NAB was asked to refrain from the act of handcuffing citizens as it is like disrespecting humanity and an inhumane step.
PM’s Reaction on Dr. Abdus Samad’s Arrest
In February, Prime Minister Imran Khan had expressed his displeasure on the arrest and remand of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Archeology Director, PhD scholar and Fulbright alumnus Dr. Abdus Samad by the NAB Peshawar.
Last month, former CDA official and retired army officer Brigadier (retired) Asad Munir had allegedly committed suicide and a note allegedly written by him to the Chief Justice of Pakistan was found, alleging that he had committed suicide owing to maltreatment by the anti-graft watchdog.
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We have Solid Evidence Against Bureaucrats
Addressing top provincial officials at a ceremony at the Civil Secretariat in Lahore, the NAB chairperson had said, “Bureaucracy is the backbone of the country and if it does not make decisions, then how can we? The government drafts policies and it is the bureaucracy’s job to implement them.”
Justice (retd) Iqbal continued, “Last year, mega corruption cases emerged in Punjab. We have solid evidence against the bureaucrats we conducted inquiries and through these evidences. I will prove that what NAB is doing is correct.” “Bureaucracy should fulfill its responsibilities without any fear and see if the environment is favorable to work,” he added.
The NAB chairperson further said, “it is the bureaucracy’s job to make policies in the interest of the country. The NAB is everyone’s institution. Do not take a step which causes loss to the country’s economy.”
“Bureaucracy should see whether appointments and transfers are being made on the basis of merit and whether they are right or not,” the NAB chairperson further said.
“Officers belonging to Grade-19 and above will not be arrested without my permission,” Justice (retired) Iqbal stated.
“NAB regional officers will not be able to arrest any officer on their own and from now no arrested officer will be handcuffed,” he assured.
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The NAB chairperson further said, “it is the bureaucracy’s job to make policies in the interest of the country. The NAB is everyone’s institution. Do not take a step which causes loss to the country’s economy.”