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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lieutenant General (R) Nazeer Ahmed, who presented the bureau’s annual report for 2023. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar. The Prime Minister reviewed NAB’s performance and commended the institution’s efforts to introduce technology-driven changes and prioritize public services. He also reiterated his support for NAB’s mission to protect national resources and professional independence.
Chairman NAB emphasized that the bureau recovered a record 6.213 trillion rupees in the past year, while also recovering approximately 5.99 trillion rupees worth of 2.98 million acres of state and forest land. The chairman informed the Prime Minister that the bureau returned 180 billion rupees to 115,587 victims of fake and investment scams.
In a separate development, President Asif Ali Zardari met with the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and the UAE. Chairman NAB also stated that Pakistan could pay off its entire debt through Karachi’s port.
The Federal Ministry of Health Services issued an advisory and warning regarding the outbreak of the deadly Neipa virus from India. Relatives of the victims of the Gul Plaza fire demanded the recovery of their loved ones’ bodies. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi described the issue of Tora Bora victims as a matter of urgent resolution, rather than a political slogan.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urged people not to spread chaos and division in the country. The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, faced questions regarding the government’s domestic violence bill and underage marriages. Senior MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi accused the Sindh government of professional negligence. Leader of the opposition in the Senate, Raja Nasir Abbas, stated that the Pakistan Act is a threat to freedom of expression in the country.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, said that the world is recognizing Pakistan’s achievements. Furniture and essential items were provided to PTI Chairperson’s wife, Bushra Bibi, in Adyala Jail. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) achieved its largest single recovery in its history. Senior Sindh Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, challenged the MQM’s leadership. The rescue team of the Rescue 1122 delayed their response for approximately 40 minutes during the Gul Plaza fire.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Ceferan Engineer Amir Muqam stated that Kashmiri people are fighting for freedom, and Pakistan is standing with them at every forum. He condemned the situation and demanded that the government should meet with the Kashmiri leadership. Chairman PTI has criticized the NAB chairman’s statement that Pakistan can pay off its entire debt through Karachi’s port.
An incident involving a plane crash in the Indian state of Maharashtra occurred when the pilot said that the runway was not visible. The Federal Ministry of Health Services issued an advisory and warning regarding the outbreak of the deadly Neipa virus from India. A large naval fleet is heading towards Iran, described by the American President as a powerful and determined force with a clear objective. Relatives of the victims of the Gul Plaza fire demanded the recovery of their loved ones’ bodies. The Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed that the Bangladesh Cricket Team traveled to the World Cup at their personal expense.
