Iranian AG For Enhancing Bilateral Coop Between Pakistan,Iran

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Oct, 2016 ) : Attorney General of Iran Syed Jafer Montazeri Tuesday called on Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry and discussed with him ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.

Iran's ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost, Deputy Chairman NAB and Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA) attended the meeting held here, a press release issued here said. The chairman NAB said corruption is a menace for all developing countries especially Asian countries which are striving for growth and to maintain economic stability.

Last two decades witnessed a global realization about harmful effects of corruption on economy, rule of law and running of public and private sector institutions. This widespread feeling compels states to have proper anti- corruption mechanism within their countries to avoid corrupt activities, he added.

He explained the working of NAB and overall anti-corruption regime in Pakistan in detail. He said NAB being Pakistan's apex anti-corruption organization has been assigned with the responsibility of elimination of corruption through a holistic approach of awareness, prevention and enforcement.

He said NAB had chalked out a comprehensive National Anti- Corruption Strategy (NACS). Under NACS, NAB has adopted Zero Tolerance Policy and proactive approach to curb corruption and corrupt practices from the country.

NAB during the last 16 years has received about 324,313 complaints from individuals and private/public organizations. During this period NAB completed about 6507 inquiries, out of which 3252 inquiries matured into formal investigation.

NAB's prime focus is on cases of cheating public at large by fraudulent financial companies, bank frauds, wilful bank loan defaults, misuse of authority and embezzlement of state funds by government servants.

He said that NAB has developed an effective monitoring and evaluation system catering to the needs of all concerned having salient features of maintenance of data at each stage including complaint entry, complaint verification, inquiry, investigation, prosecution and regional board meetings.

It has ability to analyze data in qualitative and quantitative forms having warnings and alarms system for violators. He said Pakistan is considered a role model in SAARC countries as it is the only country whose CPI Index has decreased according to Transparency International (TI) report from 126 to 117.

Pakistan has become the first Chairman of SAARC Anti Corruption Forum which is a great achievement for NAB as well as for Pakistan. Attorney General of Iran Syed Jafer Montazeri appreciated the performance of NAB.

He briefed about the working of anti-corruption institutions in Iran. In this respect there are three set ups dealing with Anti- corruption issues in Iran. There is a National Accountability Bureau, Judicial Anti- Corruption Organization and Public Accounts Committee and they all work to eradicate corruption from the society.

He appreciated NAB's work output and requested for a written report about its mechanism. Both sides agreed to have more frequent contacts and cooperation on issues of mutual interest. In the end, the souvenirs were exchanged .