National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Sunday reiterated the bureau’s commitment to pursue accountability and root out corruption in Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said it was unfortunate to see politicians trying to misguide the public by claiming that NAB’s actions were negatively affecting the country’s economy, according to Radio Pakistan.

“Politicising NAB’s actions against corruption is not in national interest. There is no link between Pakistan’s current economic woes and NAB’s operations against those guilty of misusing their power. NAB has never – and will never – take any steps that will affect the country’s economy adversely,” he said.

Justice (retd) Iqbal asserted that the anti-graft body would take all steps necessary to protect national interests and would never be influenced by  any external pressures. “NAB will never take dictation from any individual or institution,” he said.

He rejected the impression that members of Pakistan’s business community were being harassed by NAB officials, terming all such reports “baseless propaganda”.

He said NAB had never intervened in the telegraphic transfers of any businessmen or their businesses. “However, we [NAB] does reserve the right to know the sources of people’s income, specially if that person is a public office holder.”

“So far, we have not received a single complaint regarding harassment or excessive actions by NAB officials. I have directed all regional offices to act immediately if any complaints come in from the business community. NAB is a people-friendly national institution and our job is to protect the business community,” said Justice (retd) Iqbal.

He asserted that NAB would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to take money laundering cases to their logical conclusion. “I would like to remind all Pakistanis that NAB and corruption will never exist together.”

In a veiled dig at recent statements by politicians facing graft inquiries, the NAB chairman said it was corruption, not accountability, that could threaten the continuity of democracy in Pakistan.