Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to close the inquiry into 16 wind power projects, citing the recent amendment to the NAB law that excludes the investigation of corruption cases related to these projects from its jurisdiction.
The decision was approved by the Chairman of NAB during an executive board meeting.
Under the new law, NAB is no longer authorized to investigate allegations of corruption and money laundering in wind power projects. This marks a significant change in NAB’s mandate and aims to streamline the investigation process by assigning the responsibility to other relevant agencies or forums.
The closure of the inquiry into the wind power projects does not mean that the investigations will be abandoned. NAB has ensured that the cases will be handed over to the appropriate agency or forum to continue the investigation and take necessary actions as per the law.
The wind power projects in question were subjected to allegations of corruption and money laundering involving a total amount of 11 billion rupees. NAB had initiated the inquiry based on these allegations and conducted a thorough investigation before reaching the decision to close the cases.
The decision to close the inquiry aligns with the amended NAB law, which now explicitly excludes wind power projects from NAB’s jurisdiction. This amendment aims to clarify the responsibilities of NAB and other agencies involved in combating corruption and ensures a more effective and efficient investigation process.
It is important to note that the closure of these specific cases will not impact any ongoing investigations or prevent NAB from initiating new cases related to other corruption allegations falling within its jurisdiction.
The amendment to the NAB law reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the accountability process and ensuring that corruption cases are investigated and prosecuted through the appropriate channels. By assigning specific responsibilities to relevant agencies, the government aims to enhance the effectiveness of investigations and facilitate a more focused approach towards combating corruption.
The closure of the wind power project cases is a significant step in implementing the amended law and streamlining the investigation process. It underscores the government’s determination to address corruption effectively and ensure accountability in all sectors.
