Pakistan’s anti-corruption watchdog, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), may be compelled to drop a significant number of corruption cases following a recent legal amendment that has effectively raised its financial jurisdiction to around Rs. 800 million.
Inflation-Linked Amendment Raises Limit
Under previous rules, NAB could pursue cases involving a minimum amount of Rs. 500 million. However, amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance have now tied this threshold to inflation.
The revised mechanism links annual adjustments to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, starting from July 2022. As a result, cumulative inflation has pushed the practical threshold close to Rs. 800 million.
Ongoing Cases May Be Affected
The increase means that many ongoing investigations, inquiries, and court references may now fall below NAB’s jurisdiction. According to reports, several cases currently under process could be withdrawn or closed as they no longer meet the revised financial criteria.
This development is expected to significantly reduce the number of cases the bureau can legally pursue.
Concerns Over Accountability
The amendment has triggered concerns among analysts and observers. NAB had previously proposed lowering the threshold to Rs. 300 million to widen its scope. However, lawmakers instead opted to increase the limit through inflation adjustments.
Critics argue that the move could effectively shield a larger number of corruption cases from scrutiny, weakening the country’s accountability framework.
Awaiting Official Clarification
Officials noted that NAB has yet to issue an official statement clarifying the revised threshold or outlining its impact on ongoing cases.
The situation has added to the ongoing debate over transparency and enforcement in Pakistan’s anti-corruption system, with experts warning that narrowing NAB’s jurisdiction could undermine efforts to tackle financial misconduct.
