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NAB law explainer: Anti-graft body now restricted to corruption over Rs500m

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Pakistan anti-corruption law has been further amended, on the recommendation of the national assembly’s standing committee on law and justice. After which, on Wednesday, the national assembly passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022.

This is the second time the law has been altered by the coalition government, since coming to power in April. Previously changes were made to the anti-corruption law in May.

It is important to mention that the PTI has challenged the changes made to the anti-graft legislation in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which is expected to take up the case soon.

What new revisions have been made to the law that governs the National Accountability Bureau? Geo.tv lists down the changes:

  • Now an offence will fall under the NAB law only if a person commits corruption of the value of more than Rs.500 million. This means that NAB “has been fixed to take action against only mega scandals,” stated the standing committee when approving the amendments.
  • Previously, the prosecutor general’s term was non-extendable. Now the three-year-term can be extended.
  • After an investigation is completed by NAB, no supplementary reference can be filed in a case unless new evidence comes to light.
  • Earlier the NAB chairman could call “any person” or request “any document” during an inquiry. As per the revisions, now the accountability body can only summon those people and documents relevant to the inquiry or investigation.
  • Previously the chairman NAB, with approval from the court, could direct any suspicious person’s surveillance and seek the assistance of any government agency. This section has been removed.
  • Under the earlier law, banks and financial institutions were to report unusual or large transactions to the NAB. Now, the law states that the transactions should be over Rs. 2 million to be considered “unusual”.
  • At the time of the arrest, the NAB will have to inform the person of the charges against him/her, and any person called to provide information shall be informed of the allegations so the person is able file a defense.
  • Earlier the NAB law stated that if someone absconds, to avoid being served or evades punishment, he/she will be guilty of an offence with three years’ imprisonment. This has been omitted.
  • Even after a reference is filed the NAB chairman can withdraw the case if it is “unjustified”, before the charges are framed.
  • A person entering into a plea bargain or voluntary return shall not prejudice the case of another accused
  • If it comes to light that the plea bargain was a result of duress or coercion, during the inquiry, the court may recall the plea bargain
  • Earlier the amount from plea bargain and voluntary returns was to be deposited with the federal or provincial government within one month. That has been omitted.

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Citizens can apply for a passport in any Pakistani city.

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By changing the rules governing passports, the government made the application procedure easier and eliminated the need for address-based issuance.

According to the recently released memoranda, the requirement that applicants apply for a passport exclusively from the address listed on their National Identity Card has been lifted, allowing individuals to apply from any place in Pakistan.

It is anticipated that this modification will significantly alleviate the delays and complexities that nationals previously experienced as a result of jurisdictional limits.

Nationally, regional passport offices have been informed of the revised regulations. With the new regulation, citizens will have more freedom and accessibility as they are no longer limited to applying within certain parameters.

According to the Director General of Passports, the adjustment was proposed in order to alleviate the challenges that the public was facing. “The citizens will now be eligible to apply for a passport from any city in Pakistan, streamlining the process and improving accessibility across the board” , said the top government official.

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US-Pakistan Discusses Democracy and Human Rights When Pakistani Ambassador Calls Congress

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Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, the ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, spoke with Congressmen Jim Mcgovern and Susan Wild over the phone recently.

The conversation centered on human rights and democratic values, as well as strengthening Pakistan-U.S. bilateral ties.

Throughout the call, the officials concurred that continuing contact is crucial to enhancing and growing Pakistan-U.S. ties.

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The economic outlook for Pakistan. Report: The Economy Will Continue Its Sustainable Recovery

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Stability in the external and fiscal sectors, along with large financial inflows, have helped Pakistan show a steady recovery in the first quarter of FY2024–25.

The October economic outlook from the Finance Ministry emphasizes encouraging developments, such as the 1.03 billion dollar first tranche from the IMF’s extended financial facility, which improves macroeconomic stability.

A 3.7 percent increase in total fertilizer production and a 115.9 percent increase in imports of agricultural gear are significant achievements.

In August 2024, large-scale manufacturing grew 4.7 percent month over month, even if it decreased by 0.2 percent in July and August of the same year.

September 2024 had a 44-month low of 6.9 percent consumer price index inflation, down from 31.4 percent the year before.

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