ISLAMABAD: Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lieutenant General (retd) Nazir Ahmed held an important meeting with the Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan, Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, on Wednesday, with both sides underscoring the importance of further enhancing mutual cooperation to curb illicit financial flows and prevent criminals from finding safe havens.
A high-level NAB delegation also attended the meeting that highlighted the valuable role of increasing number of skilled Pakistani workers in Qatar. During the meeting, both sides discussed finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in criminal matters between NAB and Qatar’s Administrative Control and Transparency Authority. The NAB delegation expressed the hope for a prompt response from Qatar to the request for a virtual meeting to discuss proposed amendments to this agreement.
The NAB chairman welcomed the Qatari ambassador and briefly explained NAB’s history, goals, and its role in fighting corruption in Pakistan. During the discussion, he thanked Qatar for its role as a reviewer in Pakistan’s second country review under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and presenting a positive image of Pakistan in the review report.
Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed also congratulated the Qatari government for successfully hosting the 11th Conference of the States Parties and 15th International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) meeting in Doha in December last year. Besides, the NAB chairman introduced the “Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy” as the “Centre of Excellence,” suggesting that both countries cooperate on training and professional development. Given Qatar’s significant business interests in Pakistan, he reaffirmed that NAB was committed to promoting a transparent and favourable business environment.
