LAHORE:In Pakistan’s long and complex struggle against corruption, accountability has traditionally been viewed through the lens of investigations and prosecutions. Increasingly, however, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is signalling a broader and more forward-looking approach—one that places equal emphasis on prevention, awareness, and the cultivation of ethical values.
This evolving vision came into sharp focus at the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, where NAB leadership engaged directly with students during an Anti-Bribery Awareness Seminar aimed at shaping attitudes before misconduct takes root. At the centre of the event was Chairman NAB, Lt-Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed, whose presence and address framed the seminar as more than a routine awareness session. Speaking to a large gathering of students and faculty, the Chairman articulated a message that placed character, self-accountability and ethical discipline at the heart of national progress. He urged young people to recognise that laws alone cannot eliminate corruption unless individuals are willing to hold themselves accountable in their personal and professional lives. His remarks reflected a leadership perspective that sees youth not as future subjects of accountability, but as present day partners in building an ethical society. Rather than portraying accountability as a solely punitive exercise, the Chairman NAB highlighted the importance of fairness, transparency, and due process in institutional work. He noted that public institutions must not only enforce the law, but also model integrity through their conduct. By acknowledging the role of universities in shaping values, he positioned educational institutions as essential allies in the broader accountability ecosystem; places where integrity can be nurtured long before students enter positions of authority.
Addressing and responding to a wide range of queries raised by students during the interactive session, Chairman NAB highlighted the Bureau’s performance underscoring the tangible outcomes achieved through sustained institutional efforts. He noted that the year 2025 marked a historic milestone, with record recoveries amounting to Rs 6,130 billion, alongside compensation provided to over 70,000 affectees of housing and financial fraud cases. He further stated that NAB also succeeded in reclaiming vast tracts of illegally occupied state land during this period, restoring valuable public assets to the government.
He shared that these achievements had propelled the cumulative quantum of NAB’s direct and indirect recoveries since its inception to Rs 12.32 trillion. Emphasising that these recoveries extended beyond financial metrics, he underscored the visible restoration of public trust and confidence in NAB as a professional and credible accountability institution—an observation that resonated strongly with the students present. The preventive philosophy is being translated into action at the regional level by NAB Lahore under the leadership of Director General Mirza FaranBaig, who outlined the Bureau’s sustained focus on awareness-building and community engagement.
Through regular interaction with educational institutions, outreach programmes and public forums, NAB Lahore has sought to make accountability a shared social concept rather than an abstract legal idea. The emphasis, according to DG NAB Lahore, remains on informing citizens particularly students about ethical responsibilities and the long-term societal costs of corruption.
The seminar also highlighted the growing collaboration between academia and public institutions in addressing national challenges. UMT President Ibrahim Hasan Murad, Rector UMT Dr Asif Raza and Chief Adviser Gen (retd) Javed Hasan joined senior NAB officials in emphasising the role of education in nation-building.
Speakers noted that the youth represent the moral and intellectual future of the country and stressed that professional success without integrity offers little value to society. The discussion reflected a shared understanding that universities must actively contribute to character-building alongside academic excellence, reinforcing ethical leadership as a national priority. What set the event apart was its emphasis on engagement rather than instruction. Students were encouraged to reflect, question, and internalise the values being discussed, reinforcing the idea that accountability cannot be imposed—it must be owned. The interaction signaled a shift in tone, where young citizens are treated as stakeholders in national integrity rather than passive observers. By stepping into academic spaces and speaking directly to Pakistan’s youth, NAB’s leadership demonstrated an intent to influence the national conversation at its roots.
The seminar at UMT illustrated how accountability institutions can extend their impact beyond enforcement, investing in awareness and values that shape behavior over the long term. In an era where public trust in institutions is closely tied to transparency and ethical conduct, such engagement reflects a deliberate effort to align accountability with education. With the Chairman himself leading this outreach, the message was clear: the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility.
