Recent Amendments in Nab Law an In - Depth Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 in the prevention of corruption within the public sector of Pakistan. It evaluates the legal framework and the results of its implementation. Corruption is a substantial impediment to the development and stability of nations, particularly in the sphere of public affairs, as it perpetuates inequalities, impedes economic growth, and undermines trust. A comprehensive set of laws, regulations, and institutional structures, the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) was enacted in Pakistan to address corruption. Its objective is to promote effective governance, accountability, and transparency. The study employs doctrinal qualitative analysis to contextualise the research within the ethical, legal, and social frameworks. The research methodology employed is interpretive, analytical, and evaluative. The study emphasises the fundamental principles that serve as the foundation of the NAO, with a particular focus on its role in the prevention of corrupt practices, the investigation of corruption cases, and the imposition of sanctions on those responsible. This essay investigates the function of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), a distinguished organisation that is dedicated to the prevention of corruption. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is responsible for the enforcement of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) through the conduct of investigations and legal proceedings in corruption cases. This article examines the obstacles and conflicts that arise during the implementation of the NAO in the context of anti-corruption initiatives. The assessment conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of accountability mechanisms, the independence of anti-corruption organisations, and political interference. The research indicates that corruption has significantly undermined the efficiency of the public sector. It is imperative to establish and enforce the National Anti-Corruption Organisation (NAO) with impartiality and efficiency in order to resolve this issue. The study also finds gaps in the recent amendment promulgated by the law makers in the NAO during the phase of 2021-2023 and recommends the legislative changes to offer more effective anticorruption frame work keeping in view the concerns of the law makers. This thesis provides rational and logical analysis of the National Accountability Ordinance and operations in precluding the rampant corruption in Pakistan based on the best practices exercised by the international agencies. The study explores the procedures and types of corruption in vogue in the country and how the top class enjoys the authority to challenge the NAB Laws, the investigators and the officials who are deployed to eradicate the menace of corruption. The study further discovers that the law makers have not pursued the structural reforms in the NAB laws to augment modern/unbiased ways to inquire white collar crimes and as such no amendment has been designed to tailor the Policy Implementation of the NAB Laws 1999, with regard to fairness and Code of Conduct of NAB employees (as enshrined in NAB Terms and Conditions of Service – 2002) which declares that the NAB Human Resource is the first and foremost subject of accountability.