ISLAMABAD: The government is contemplating measures to protect civil servants and public officeholders from unwarranted harassment by institutions such as NAB, with the aim of fostering a more conducive environment for decision-making.
An informed government source has indicated that there is an ongoing consideration of introducing certain provisions into existing laws to safeguard government servants in their decision-making processes. The proposal revolves around the idea that the state should stand by government servants in defense of their decisions unless they are proven guilty in a court of law.
It has been noted that some banks and other institutions have already implemented such policies. The source highlighted that leaving government servants vulnerable to anti-corruption agencies for their decisions is a significant factor that deters officials from approving files.
This is primarily due to the contentious role played by NAB (National Accountability Bureau) in the past, which has made civilian bureaucracy and public officeholders hesitant to make decisions in certain matters.
According to the sources the Army Chief General Asim Munir, in recent interactions with the civilian sector, has been actively encouraging bureaucrats to make decisions without the fear of harassment, assuring them that entities like NAB will not unnecessarily target them.
During Apex Committee meetings, the source stated that the army chief emphasized to government servants not to hesitate in making decisions. It was explained that decisions made in good faith may not always yield the desired results, but that should not be a reason for punitive action.
NAB’s Changing Approach Amid Calls for Reform
Under its current leadership, NAB has demonstrated a more restrained approach in launching needless inquiries and investigations against government servants. An official from NAB has highlighted that the present management advises regional chapters to avoid past practices. Interestingly, this NAB official, drawing from experience, firmly believes that the Bureau should be abolished due to the harm it has inflicted on Pakistan, particularly by subjecting the civilian bureaucracy and business community to harassment.
Successive governments have acknowledged that NAB’s historical record of arresting government servants, including federal secretaries, on baseless grounds has deterred the civilian bureaucracy from making decisions.
Notably, Fawad Hasan Fawad and Ahad Cheema, both highly competent government servants with strong reputations, endured significant hardships under NAB. They were arrested by NAB under its former chairman, Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, for political reasons. Many others in the bureaucracy suffered similar fates, with prolonged imprisonments lacking substantial evidence of corruption.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, while in office, criticized NAB for targeting bureaucracy and businessmen, yet he continued to support the Bureau to pursue his political adversaries.
An official has emphasized that while the assurances from the army chief to government servants are encouraging, without necessary reforms, the bureaucracy will not fully regain its lost confidence.
