By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recovered Rs547.31 billion in assets and funds from corrupt elements in the first half of 2025, the agency said on Saturday, with a robust Rs456.3 billion haul in the second quarter driving its aggressive anti-corruption campaign.
The recoveries, spanning movable and immovable properties and cash, surged from Rs91.01 billion in the first quarter to Rs456.3 billion between April and June, a rise of Rs365.29 billion. Of the total, assets worth Rs532.33 billion were transferred to federal and provincial government departments and financial institutions, NAB said. The agency also compensated 12,611 victims of public fraud schemes during the period.
Over the past two years, NAB’s recoveries reached Rs5.854 trillion, a 700 percent increase from the Rs839.08 billion recovered since its inception in 1999. The bureau estimates that state land worth Rs5 trillion remains illegally occupied and is targeted for reclamation.
In Rawalpindi, NAB recovered 51 kanals of land valued at Rs29 billion in Islamabad’s Sector E-11, handed over to the Capital Development Authority. In the B4U fraud case, Rs3 billion was secured for distribution among 17,214 victims. The bureau also took possession of 640 kanals and 11 marlas of land from the Banker’s City project, with proceeds set to benefit affected individuals.
In Sukkur, NAB recovered land worth Rs25.079 billion belonging to the National Highway Authority. Additionally, 127 kanals and 15 marlas of land valued at Rs895.16 million were retrieved from the Sindh government’s Education and Literacy Department. Forest land recoveries totaled Rs384.27 billion in Q2, contributing to a cumulative Rs1.487 trillion.
NAB disbursed Rs3.2 billion in the Eden housing society case in Lahore to 11,880 victims. In the Pak Arab case, eight properties worth Rs3.9 billion were surrendered by the accused for transfer to NAB, with funds to be distributed to 2,500 victims. A plea bargain worth Rs2.181 billion is underway with Elite Town Housing Society owners, with recovered funds intended for 1,789 victims.
NAB’s intensified crackdown responds to mounting pressure to tackle corruption and recover misappropriated assets. While the recoveries bolster state finances, critics urge deeper reforms to address systemic corruption. The bureau pledged to continue targeting illegally held state land and ensuring justice for fraud victims.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
